In October 2023, Janneke de Bruin took a special step. After running a marathon, she took on a new challenge: cleaning up litter in her municipality. What started as a personal action quickly grew into a beautiful neighbourhood initiative: the HaGi Waste Pickers.
Together for a clean neighbourhood
Janneke didn't just start picking up litter. First, she looked at who was already active in her neighbourhood. In this way, she discovered that more residents kept their streets clean. Soon a WhatsApp group was created, in which the volunteers shared tips, experiences and finds.
After a year, the group wanted more structure. Inspired by the Lekprikkers, a similar group of litter pickers in the region, the group made a plan together to make even more of an impact. And so the HaGi Afvalprikkers were born: an enthusiastic group of residents working together for a clean Hardinxveld-Giessendam.
Whole Hardinxveld-Giessendam litter-free
The HaGi litter pickers use the HelemaalGroen app, a national app that colours streets green where litter has been picked up. This makes it immediately visible who has already cleaned up where and where there is still litter. So everyone can clean up litter at their own pace. At the same time, they work together towards the same goal: making the whole of Hardinxveld-Giessendam litter-free.
Besides picking up litter individually, the group organises a joint clean-up action every month. The HaGi Afvalprikkers then set out together to clean up a part of Hardinxveld-Giessendam. During these actions, the volunteers stand out because of their safety vests, which they got with the help of sponsors. Joint actions are announced in door-to-door newspapers and on social media. This way, more and more residents join in. Anyone who wants to help is welcome. Because together we really make a difference.
Do you also want to contribute to a cleaner Hardinxveld-Giessendam? Join the HaGi Afvalprikkers and help out! Or see what is possible in your municipality. Because together we really do make a difference.