| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Results from the recent Clean Up Australia service activities in Gympie, Australia reflect a marked improvement in the amounts of trash collected from public areas.
Volunteers from the Sunshine Coast Stake (similar to a diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gympie reported collecting a smaller pile of rubbish this year than in the two previous years. Results reflected an approximate 25% reduction in the amount of rubbish collected 2 years ago in the same area.
Church member Colleen Gosden reported, “We’ve been assigned the area around Albert Park for the past three years. Each year the amount of rubbish we’ve collected has been halved! This is a good sign. People are being more thoughtful.”
Around thirty-five youth and adults collected trash items, ranging from shopping trolleys, cans, cigarette butts, glass bottles, paper, clothing, blankets, metal scraps, fast food, coffee containers, and other materials.
“I noticed there was a lot less rubbish but quite a bit more deliberate dumping,” said Rob Pitt due to bags of kitty litter and disposable nappies.
Cleanaway’s Education Coordinator Elli Webb manages the cleanup activities each year for Gympie Regional Council. She feels the new Riverwalk as well as improvements to rubbish collection have made a positive impact on the way people feel and care about their local environment. “We really appreciate the groups that come and help us each year,” she said. “It is a great community effort.”