On Sunday 5th November, volunteers from both Plastic Free Cotgrave and the Friends of Cotgrave Country Park met to remove some of the many plastic tree guards that can be found in the Country Park.
In two hours, 25 large bags of tree guards were removed from hawthorns and other small trees around the Hollygate Lane Car Park areas. Initially used to protect young saplings, most of the tree guards have now outlived their usefulness and are in danger of breaking down into unwanted microplastics in the environment.
Alan Holmes, Chair of the Friends of the Country Park said: “I was really delighted with the turn out; it was great to see two local community groups working together to pool resources for the common good of both. I was also amazed at how much plastic we removed from a very localised area in only two hours.”
Brenda Ainsley, Community Lead for Plastic Free Cotgrave added: “It was a very successful event at which a magnificent amount of work that was achieved. It was such a positive experience for all concerned and made a massive difference in removing a great deal of unwanted plastic that was already turning very brittle and starting to break down into the environment as microplastics.”
Both groups thank Nottinghamshire County Council for facilitating the event and ensuring that it went ahead safely. It is hoped that there will be another similar event in the spring.