When it comes to keeping communities clean and managing waste, the challenges—and the heroes—have never been more apparent. From the rolling sand dunes of Dongara, Western Australia, to the bustling neighborhoods of Blackburn in the UK, residents are grappling with mountains of rubbish, limited resources, and the ever-present threat of environmental decay. But while some are left frustrated by policies and logistics, others are rolling up their sleeves, braving wild pigs and roaring trucks, and making a tangible difference on the ground.
In Dongara, a picturesque beachside town some 350 kilometers north of Perth, three retirees have become local legends. Known as the 'Roadside Rubbish Relics', Glenda Green, Sherry Martin, and Glenys Bellis have spent the past 14 months waging a relentless war on roadside litter. According to ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt, their efforts have not only transformed the landscape but also captured the community’s heart. Armed with gloves, tongs, and a fierce determination, the trio spends up to six hours a day, three days a week, collecting everything from discarded drink containers to the remnants of someone’s bedside table.
“We find crocs and thongs, and we find things that are from bedside tables that probably should go in the rubbish bin and not on the roadside. You name it, we find it,” Martin told ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt. Their work isn’t without its perils. Picking up trash just meters from the Brand Highway—a major road with a speed limit of 110 km/h—means dodging road trains and, on occasion, wild animals. Martin recounted one particularly harrowing encounter: “I turned around and it was this huge, giant pig chasing me down and the only thing I had was an orange bag in one hand and a pair of tongs in the other.”
Despite these dangers, the ‘Relics’ have managed to collect between eight and ten tonnes of litter, including over 13,000 drink containers. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. At the 2025 WA Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards, the trio took home the top prize in the ‘Litter Action’ category. “It was mind-blowing,” Bellis said, still in disbelief at the recognition. The judges praised them for achieving “a noticeable reduction in litter along the highway and have significantly improved the town’s presentation.”
Community support has been a driving force for the group. Drivers often stop to offer water, coffee, or even donations, and some regulars have become like family. “He’ll donate us money, he even stops and has a chat to us on the road. That really gives me a high, and I feel like he’s family,” Bellis shared with ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt. For Martin, the sense of accomplishment is its own reward: “All that stuff that would have stayed in the environment, polluting the environment.” She hopes their example will encourage others to be more mindful: “If you’re going to drink it, keep it in your car until you find a bin to put it in.”
But while Dongara’s roadside warriors are celebrated, residents in Blackburn, UK, are facing a different kind of struggle. On December 27, 2025, Blackburn with Darwen Council announced the closure of its two household waste recycling centers, to be replaced by a new, purpose-built tip located between the towns. The council promises the new center will be more efficient and increase recycling rates—while not being much further for most residents. Yet, for those without cars, the change feels like a step backward.
Sean Pennington, a resident of Mill Hill, has been especially vocal about the challenges. “When I last contacted the council, I explained the situation that many of us find ourselves in, and that one burgundy bin doesn’t last two weeks,” Pennington told local reporters. The council’s response? Take a taxi to the recycling center or pay for a bulky waste collection. “How they expected this to happen when I don’t drive is beyond me,” Pennington said. “I can’t afford driving lessons, let alone anything else that a car requires… and I know I am not alone when it comes to this.”
For those on lower incomes, the council’s charges—£7.50 for up to 25 units of bulky waste, and £15 for 26 to 50 units—present a real hardship. “The charge of £7.50 may not seem a lot to some, but to those residents who are unable to work due to ill-health issues or are of pension/retirement age or in receipt of benefits, it could go towards their next meal,” Pennington argued. He also criticized the policy for failing to consider pet owners, noting that the council expects everyone to use compostable cat litter and does not allow pet waste in regular refuse bins. “The council don’t take pets into account when looking at their waste disposal policy,” he said.
The council, for its part, maintains that it is doing its best to accommodate residents. Tony Watson, Director of Environment and Resident Services, emphasized the importance of making the most of weekly waste collections. “All recycled items left next to recycling bins will be collected,” Watson stated. Residents who need larger or extra bins can apply for them free of charge on the council’s website. For those with special circumstances—like large households or medical needs—applications for bigger burgundy bins are available online. Watson added, “Mr. Pennington has previously been provided with advice on how to compost pet waste and the use of biodegradable and sustainable products, to reduce his burgundy bin waste.”
Still, the transition has sparked real concern. A petition to keep the old recycling centers open has gained traction, with many fearing that longer journeys and extra charges will lead to more fly-tipping—illegal dumping of rubbish. The council, however, insists that the new site and policies are necessary to improve efficiency and recycling rates, and that residents have multiple options, including booking bulky waste collection or using the Recycling Locator tool to find local recycling sites.
Both stories—one of grassroots action, the other of policy friction—highlight the complexities of modern waste management. In Dongara, community spirit and individual action have led to cleaner roads and national recognition. In Blackburn, residents are navigating a system that, while designed for efficiency, sometimes leaves the most vulnerable behind. Yet, in both places, the message rings clear: keeping our environment clean is a shared responsibility, and the solutions—whether official or improvised—shape the places we call home.
As the rubbish piles ebb and flow, so too does the sense of community, resilience, and the ongoing debate over how best to balance efficiency, equity, and environmental stewardship.
