North Yorkshire County Council’s waste and countryside team hosted a celebration at Ripon Walled Garden to thank volunteer Rotters for their contribution to waste prevention.
Rotters help to inspire people to change their waste habits by giving talks and demonstrations at events, shows and schools across York and North Yorkshire.
Three volunteers received certificates for five years of service and veteran Rotter Pauline Percival was awarded the ‘golden apple’, honouring her ten years with the team. The event marked the end of a recruitment drive for the Rotters that saw the team double in size from 30 to more than 60 volunteers.
Jeff Coates, volunteer coordinator for waste and countryside services, said:
We’ve been really lucky to have such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers. Doubling our team of volunteers puts us in a far better position to diversify our outreach events and increase our schools programme. Last month’s celebration was a great way to recognise the contribution volunteers make in promoting our reduce, reuse and recycle priorities across North Yorkshire. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our wonderful Rotters.
For people who are passionate about environmental issues, being a Rotter is a great way to get involved in their community by raising awareness of the importance of home composting, promoting the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and encouraging people to reuse and recycle. For younger people, being a Rotter is a good way to gain valuable skills and work experience.
County Councillor Andrew Lee, executive member for waste management, said: “By advising residents on how to reduce food waste, the Rotters have saved North Yorkshire residents thousands of pounds in addition to reducing the amount of waste being thrown away. I am humbled by and incredibly grateful to the people who give up their time to help raise the profile of waste prevention.”
