Gunnedah residents got their tidy on during Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday morning, co-ordinated by Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group (GULG) and GW Group.
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Over 60 people, aged three to 80 years old, registered and headed out armed with bags and gloves. More than 100 bags worth of rubbish was gathered, which filled six skip bins.
Interesting items found by volunteers included a golf club and an unused shot gun cartridge.
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But GULG chair Mark Kesby said that despite the great effort, it was still disappointing.
"It shows how much rubbish is dropped or dumped around Gunnedah by lazy people," Mr Kesby said.
"Volunteers on a Sunday morning should not have to do this."
GULG secretary George Truman said 'return and earn' collection points had provided some benefit to limiting littering.
"Whilst the 'return and earn scheme' has reduced the amount of bottles and cans, there is still a lot of food wrappers and general rubbish," Mr Truman said.
"There are surveillance cameras in some areas which deter some people, however we encourage people to [report illegal dumping] so that it can be dealt with, otherwise these areas turn into a dumping ground."
Volunteers returned to Wolseley Park after the clean up to enjoy a barbecue breakfast, and some younger volunteers were given gift packs with nature and animal books, magnets and stickers.
Mr Truman said he was glad there was some younger community members at the clean up.
"These days are not only about picking up rubbish but involving the community, especially the younger generation, to make them more aware and appreciative of our natural areas," he said.