Embracing tikkun olam

JR Outloud

Judi Herman shares the moment that kickstarted her litter-collecting crusade

It’s November 2020. I’m done wringing my hands and raging at the appalling volume of litter ‘decorating’ our streets, grass verges and hedgerows that offends me daily on our lockdown walks. My husband Steve has bought me a litter-picker for our wedding anniversary (!) and I take on the role of joint leader with him of the new ‘litterati’. Steve begins by finding some wonderfully official-looking “No litter" notices online, printing and fixing them to the fence at the entrance to an alleyway that is often ankle deep in rubbish; meanwhile, I deftly clear the alley with my new weapon. Now our daily walks have a new purpose. We still look at the stars, but we cast our eyes downwards to the gutters too, to clear them from bottles and cans, baby wipes and takeaway boxes – and facemasks – this last a new addition to the detritus that folk seem to have lost the will to bin or take home.

On a walk round suburbia we pick up everything we spot – and I’m gratified to say that, though there’s still plenty to fill a bag, the volume has dropped substantially, especially down our alley, and we are often greeted by local residents who want to thank us.

There are folk litter-picking countrywide of course, but now we are reaching out to JR readers and asking anyone who wants to join us to get in touch and let’s try to coordinate our efforts. Just think, if everyone took responsibility for the pavement, verge or road outside their home, it would be pretty well job done! The beautiful Jewish precept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) surely encompasses keeping our own local area free of polluting debris.

Our grandchildren (pictured) Alys, 8, and Dylan, 5, are now really into competitive – and cooperative – litter-picking. So now, ahead of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign’s Great Spring Clean (28 May-13 Jun), join us as the kids grab the litter-pickers (and microphone) at a local beauty spot; plus Steve and me on a sunset walk.

By Judi Herman

Considering getting your own littler-picker? Visit keepbritaintidy.org to find ways of getting involved, and check with your local council, as you may be able to apply for a picker, bags and even a high-viz jacket.