MORE than a year into the pandemic and the sight of a discarded facemask has become a far too familiar sight for many residents.
Despite three lockdowns of experience and chances to improve, far too many people continue to leave rubbish dumped across BCP’s beauty spots, town centres and residential communities.
However, it is not all doom and gloom as the continuing issue of litterbugs in our area has failed to deter the hardy volunteers involved in Dorset Devils.
Peter Ryan, who set up the group back in 2013, said each lockdown has seen a similar pattern emerge.
As restrictions ease and footfall increases, the rubbish starts to pole up once more.
“We always hope people will be more enlightened and more in tune with their environment and nature, but that isn’t the case.
“When the pubs, clubs and restaurants have been closed, there has been a lot more drinking cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles, which are all more evident in the streets, in the hedgerows and on people’s properties.
“People have been drinking alcohol on the go, as well as energy drinks which is always strange as you think people would have the energy to put it in the bin.
“There has been an increase in terms of drinking containers and the newbie has been Covid litter.
“Plastic single use gloves and the main one is single use facemasks which are ever evident on every single litter pick anyone does.
“They will come across these things or half a dozen to a dozen depending where they are and if it is a place where a lot of people are.
“We are having to deal with Covid litter now, which is obviously a shame because we want everyone to be healthy and safe, but it is not very safe for the environment, let alone other people.”
He added: “If it is in the street, council workers, litter pickers, ourselves at Dorset Devils and any other kind-hearted resident can put it in the bin. But when people put it in the bushes it could stay there for ever and a day and that, especially with a tin can for example, can create its own eco system.
“It is bad for the environment and it is always an eyesore.
“You can only imagine just how much litter there is still that is just not visible. It will be 10 times more than what we see on the street.
“It is a sad indictment for society these days. We are permanently on the go and we have to drink and some us dare not seem to put our detritus in a bin or take it home to put it in our own bin.”
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Since starting his solo efforts to clean up communities after his retirement, Mr Ryan, who lives in the East Cliff area in Bournemouth, now has more than 700 people signed up in the litter picking effort with Dorset Devils.
He told the Daily Echo overseeing the volunteers and the administration of the group is arguably keeping him busier than when he worked.
And while many are quick to speak out in disdain and contempt for those who litter, Mr Ryan said it is out of their control.
“The hardest thing is to change people’s behaviour, he said. “They have to change their behaviours. We can’t force it upon people.
“It is up to society to do that, with education and awareness. We don’t get fully frustrated. Quite frankly we as Dorset Devils can’t do a lot about it.
“When we do a lot of ‘deviling’, we like to talk rubbish and we like to engage with people. We are not the litter picking police force. We are out there doing a community activity, whether that is 10 minutes or two hours.
“It is just for personal satisfaction and to play your part because we all love where we live and rather than talk and moan about things like this, we would rather be doing something about it."
Mr Ryan added: “It is quite cathartic in a funny way. I warn people it can become quite addictive.
“All we are doing is playing our part. It is government, business and industry to play their part - they have got the bigger scheme in this.
“We are just residents wanting to do our bit and do the right thing and taking pride in our community.”
To find out more about Dorset Devils, visit dorsetdevils.btck.co.uk and facebook.com/dorsetdevils.
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