By Molly Magennis
West Footscray’s self described ‘crazy rubbish collecting lady’ is tackling litter one day at a time, taking it upon herself to clean up the area that she calls home while encouraging others in the community to join her.
Leticia Ines Caceres first started cleaning up the West Footscray/Footscray area during lockdown, when residents were confined to no more than 5 kilometres of their home.
Ms. Caceres started noticing large amounts of rubbish, particularly masks, were being left in public spaces due to the fact that they were being used more by locals.
“That really started to stress me out because I had seen images online of masks wrapped around the feet of animals and creatures, sea creatures, and I found that really upsetting and distressing,” she said.
“I just couldn’t bear it and I started walking with my dog and a pair of kitchen tongs and some gloves in a bag and I just started collecting stuff. I realized that within two or three blocks that my bag was absolutely brimming with garbage.”
Ms. Caceres shared her rubbish collecting expeditions on West Footscray community Facebook page ‘WeFolk’, where she has since received a lot of positive feedback and has helped spread the word to other members of the community.
“That’s what I was hoping my posts would do, even if it’s just one street, you know, your own street, just looking out for the 150 meters that you’ve got around you would be a major contribution.”
With Clean up Australia day coming up on March 6, Ms. Caceres said her aim is to get the ‘WeFolk’ community out and about in the area.
“If you don’t feel like talking to people, you could put a podcast on and get through a really great listening hour and you know, it’s good for your legs, it’s good for your heart and good for the environment.”
