Rushmoor Binfluencers: Getting Active by Tidying the Streets

To mark World Environment Day and Volunteers Week, Najeeb has shared his story of staying active by picking up litter. Highlighting how physical activity can make a meaningful impact on both our communities and the planet.

My name is Najeeb. I’ve retired now and I live in Blackwater. I was never a sporty person growing up, but I’ve seen the value of exercise as I get older.

About seven or eight years ago, I read a very good article about a town in Ghana. The mayor said (more or less!), ‘every 4^th Saturday, I want the whole town out in the morning and we will tidy up and clear the garbage off the streets.’

There was of course some resistance at first. Then later down the line, people thought: this is good. Our town is good. The trade went up. And that motivated them even more. And that was quite telling for me – that there is a commercial benefit in having a nice clean environment for the shopkeepers. That’s where my interest in litter picking started.

About four months ago, I saw an advert on Facebook and one on NextDoor about Binfluencers, a community litter picking group. So, I attended a meeting to see what kind of people they were. There was a lady from the council there too and I thought, ‘there’s quite a lot of horsepower behind this so it’s well worth backing.’

They were very welcoming. There was lots of equipment – bags, vests, pickers –  so no one needed to bring anything. I actually went early to help set up. It was really easy to chat to people throughout the hour session, and everyone was willing to help you if you couldn’t lift something yourself. It was really well organised. We picked up so much! And we finished with a cup of tea and a cake.

We are there to do some work, but we’re also there to have fun. It is a community. I think that’s what helps make the atmosphere so great.

My favourite part is filling up the bags and that feeling when you finish and see 12 or 14 bags that were empty when you arrived. It’s absolutely great.

Also, you’re doing good for your body. The walking and bending helps with balance. The observation – spotting a cigarette butt in the grass – and the coordination with your hands. All of these things are so subtle, but very positive to your wellbeing.

Unfortunately, we often find that a few days after we’ve cleaned a road there will be litter again. But you wash your car, and it’ll rain and get muddy again, that doesn’t mean you don’t wash your car, does it? Though I do think it influences people to stop littering because they see you out there.

I’ve always found that you need a buddy when you start something new. Somebody who will invest in you and hold your hand. Certainly, with litter picking you need to work with someone who takes turns looking out for cars or things like deep ditches.

It leaves you feeling good. I can’t imagine anyone finishing a litter pick and not feeling buoyant. For people who are having mental health issues or are feeling lonely, it’s an antidote to that. We also greet people as they go past, and they’ve started to greet us first. We are becoming part of the community.

If you’re feeling inspired and have any questions about joining this group, visit their Facebook Group.