‘Tireless volunteers’ from the community joined in with litter picks across the locality this month as part of the ‘Great Big Green Week’ organised events.
“What a fantastic few hours it's been, spending this morning with the tireless volunteers of our community on a litter pick. It's always heartwarming to see residents come together to make a difference,” said county councillor for St Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) and St Florence Cllr Rhys Jordan, who also lent his help.
Cllr Jordan said that Saundersfoot was graced by the residents from St Mary Out Liberty, who made the trip down the hill to lend their hands to the litter pick organised by county councillors for the seaside village Chris Williams and Alec Cormack and residents of Saundersfoot and Amroth.
![Tenby litter pick](https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/06/20/12/litter%20pick%20Tenby%20june10.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
“The sense of unity and community spirit was truly inspiring!” continued Cllr Jordan.
“Just like any other place in Pembrokeshire, the beauty of Saundersfoot is a shared treasure, and it's up to us to protect it.
“So here's a reminder to residents and visitors alike - Saundersfoot, our lovely coastal village, is not a bin. If you bring it in, please take it out. Let's keep Saundersfoot as charming as it's always been,” he added.
The litter-pick got under way early on Sunday (June 11) with a wealth of volunteers covering many routes around the village.
Cllr Williams remarked: "The amount of rubbish collected in just over an hour was incredible! I would personally like to thank all the volunteers who helped.”
![Saundersfoot butts](https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/06/20/12/ciggie%20butts%20Saundersfoot.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
One such volunteer, Julie Davies posted on Facebook the following day, details of the amount of discarded cigarette butts collected
“At the community litter pick, volunteers were asked to keep an eye out for cigarette butts and to pick up as many as they could and today the count is in,” she said.
“I couldn't count every butt collected... some were caught up in a bag with a nappy, others with beer can dregs... but I did manage to count 796 butts!!
“Keep Britain Tidy research shows that smokers often believe that cigarette butts are biodegradable but they are made of a type of plastic (plasticised cellulose acetate), and can take 14 years to break apart, with toxins from them seeping into the soil, sand or water.
“Cigarettes should be stubbed out and put in a bin. Dropped in a gutter they can blow on to the beach so if you are not near a bin, please keep it with you until you can correctly dispose of it.
“Putting a cigarette butt down a drain is no good as these butts end up going into our waterways and eventually to the sea, causing harm to marine and plant life,” added Julie.
![Saundersfot litter](https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/06/20/12/Ciggie%20butts%202.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
In Tenby, the town’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan and fellow town councillors also joined in with the litter pick, which started from Brother Thomas’ Garden on Crackwell Street.