I started litter picking on maternity leave: It turned into founding an organisation

Not all heroes wear capes… our Unsung Heroes series celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary work.

Today, it’s Hafsa Omar, 37, from Moss Side, Manchester, who keeps her community clean and tidy.

What do you do?

I’m founder of the Moss Side Eco Squad (@moss_side_eco). A volunteer group that picks up litter where we live.

How did it start?

On maternity leave, walking around with my baby in the pram, I noticed all the litter I had to dodge around. So, I thought, why not clear it up myself?

What next?

People approached me wanting to help. They just needed someone to organise them. So, I put a time on Facebook and seven or eight people turned up.

How did you fund equipment?

For my birthday, I asked for litter pick sticks and gloves instead of presents.

Where do you litter pick?

All over Moss Side. It’s given me a familiarity with my community. I’ve discovered cafés, shops and parks that I’d never seen before.

Is the social side fun?

We were strangers, now we’re all really good friends. We check on each other when sick, drop off food if needed and celebrate birthdays.

What’s been the reaction?

People often say thanks. We get offered free food from the takeaway. Or people come out of their house with a cup of tea for us. Locals donate bin bags.

Any tricky moments?

Some people assume we are 
ex-offenders doing community service!

What litter do you see most?

Takeaway wrappers. People chuck it out of car windows. I’ve caught them at it.

What happens then?

I ask, ‘Do you do that at home?’ They usually say sorry.

Any weird finds?

A dried-up stingray fish. No idea where it came from. Oh, and decapitated dolls.

What about dangerous items?

We don’t touch any drug paraphernalia. We report it to the council for disposal.

Do you see fly tipping?

Yes. Lots of landlords rent to students here. So people moving in and out every year and dumping mattresses outside.

How many items do you pick up?

We average two bin bags of rubbish per person – so maybe 20 bags each time. Most of us have family to care for and jobs to go to, so we’re all time-poor.

So there’s no pressure to commit

I’ve dipped in and out since we started in 2020, but other people continued.

Are you really tidy at home?

Yes, but not obsessively. I do love the BBC TV show Sort Your Life Out about helping people declutter. My dream job would be reorganising charity shop floors.

Why do you volunteer?

It gives me asense of belonging in the place where I live. I’ve moved around my whole life. This is the first place that really feels like home.

Any hobbies?

Swimming. I help organise the Junior Parkrun in Moss Side every Sunday for kids. And I take part in the adult run.

Become a litter hero for your area with keepbritaintidy.org

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