Thousands of pieces of rubbish were collected on Wales’ biggest mountain, Yr Wyddfa, in just six hours by dedicated campaigners. More than 2,700 items of litter were removed, with 800 of them being drinks containers. Skilled climbers took on the challenge of clearing litter from the Trinity Wall gullies, a popular climbing spot, while volunteers worked on clearing the Miner’s Path. Among the brands of litter found, Lucozade, Red Bull, Coca Cola, and Monster were the most common, with 274 plastic water bottles alone picked up from the Snowdon trails.
Environmental group Trash Free Trails highlighted that 30% of the items collected were drinks containers, advocating for a deposit return scheme (DRS). Such a scheme would incentivise the return of drinks bottles and cans for recycling by offering a cash deposit or credit. While this scheme is established in many European countries, the UK government, particularly under the Conservative party, has delayed its implementation. The plan excludes glass in certain regions of the UK.
Following the clean-up, Tom Carrick, the BMC access and conservation officer for Wales, emphasised the need for action, stating, “A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Wales and England would encourage much greater care and thought over what pollution was taken onto the mountain.” Alec Young from Eryri National Park echoed the sentiment, pointing out the presence of microplastics in the soil around popular paths on Yr Wyddfa.
Dom Ferris, CEO of Trash Free Trails, highlighted the impact of single-use plastic pollution on wildlife, with volunteers encountering distressing cases of animals trapped in litter. Ferris called for urgent implementation of a DRS, citing its effectiveness in eliminating a significant category of litter from trails. The concern over the fragility of the environment and the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on wildlife were key driving factors behind the call for action.
The campaign to clean up Yr Wyddfa shed light on the pressing need for sustainable waste management practices and stricter regulations to protect the environment. The collaborative efforts of climbers, volunteers, and environmental groups underscored the importance of collective action in preserving the natural beauty of Wales’ iconic mountain. As discussions continue around implementing a deposit return scheme and enhancing recycling initiatives, the hope is to create a cleaner and safer environment for both visitors and wildlife on Yr Wyddfa.