VOLUNTEERS from Worcester Greenpace rolled up their sleeves and collected five bags of waste as part of World Clean Up Day.
Volunteers logged the different types of plastic they found with cigarette butts most common item.
The community clean follows on from Greenpeace’s release of the largest ever survey of plastic pollution in our rivers.
Scientists and campaigners collected water samples in February and March at separate points along the River Severn and 12 other rivers, which were analysed by Greenpeace scientists at the University of Exeter.
Tracey Genever, a volunteer with the group, said: “Cigarette butts are the single most common litter worldwide.
“Butts leach toxic chemicals into the environment.
“The chemicals from butts that end up in water, like our beautiful River Severn, harm our aquatic life and animals.’
“Our community clean up provides yet more evidence of the damage caused by plastic. We call on our MP, Robin Walker, to sign Greenpeace’s plastic free rivers pledge and show his support for our natural heritage,” she added.
