EMR, the local metal recycler based on Faraday Road, has joined forces with Clean Our Patch, a community volunteer group that aims to keep Plymouth tidy.
As part of the partnership, EMR has donated new litter picking equipment to the group, which aims to clean up the streets and instill community pride across Plymouth.
The equipment donated includes litter pickers, gloves, biodegradable bin-bags and high visibility bomber jackets emblazoned with the Clean Our Patch and EMR logos. EMR will also accept any recycle any metal waste that the group collects.
Frustrated at seeing rubbish pile up on local streets, Clean Our Patch was founded by El Clarke and Ashton Samuels only one year ago. Since March 2018, it has has grown into a group of over 500 hard-working community volunteers offering their time to help. Due to its growth, Clean Our Patch now has ambassadors organising local clean-ups in their own wards across the city.
EMR Area Manager, Damon Kinnair, said: “As one of the world’s leading metal recyclers, we want to not only make a difference to the planet as a whole, but put a great deal of importance on supporting the communities that are close to our sites.
“We are delighted with this partnership and hope that the equipment provided helps Clean Our Patch in its fight for a cleaner Plymouth.”
Co-founder of Clean Our Patch, El Clarke, said: “We would like to thank EMR, who have equipped us with more tools to reduce the amount of litter in the community and to help us with our continuing expansion.
“Littering is a big problem in our city and Ashton, the other co-founder, and I grew tired of seeing litter build up on our streets and decided to do something about it one day.
“We are so proud of how the group has grown since, especially with support from passionate volunteers, local councillors, Plymouth City Council and local business such as EMR. Our size has enabled us to launch an Ambassador Scheme, so litter picking events can be organised across the city’s different wards at different times, not just when Ashton and I are available.
“We’re really excited to see what the future holds for Clean Our Patch and welcome anybody who is interested in joining us.”