Members of the community will be out in force picking up litter scattered in Ballarat's parks, waterways and outdoor spaces on Sunday as part of Clean Up Australia Day.
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More than 18 clean up sites are registered in the Ballarat area, including at Victoria Park, Black Hill, Woowookarung Regional Park and locations along the Yarrowee River.
Resident Col Palmer is hosting a clean up at the Yarrowee River in Redan and has been doing so for at least the past eight years.
He said the amount of litter was increasing, with an estimated 100kg removed from the area during the clean up event last year.
"Last year we had about 50 people and filled a skip bin," Mr Palmer said.
"It is not improving at all... Everybody gets plenty of work on the day."
Anyone can join any Clean Up Australia Day event on Sunday and make a difference to their local environment.
It is not improving at all.
- Col Palmer, Clean Up Australia Day event organiser
Mr Palmer said all of the rubbish usually collected around the river in Redan was plastic.
Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio announced last week more single-use plastic items would be phased out and banned by 2023.
The ban will include plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, polystyrene food and drink containers and plastic cotton bud sticks.
Mr Palmer said he hoped it would make a difference to the amount of litter around Ballarat.
"People who chuck rubbish into the street are probably still going to chuck rubbish," he said.
"But it is better than doing nothing, it is a good attempt."
Ms D'Ambrosio said single-use plastic items - like straws and plastic cups - mad up about one-third of Victoria's litter.
People wanting to join the Yarrowee River clean up in Redan can meet at the walking track near the Prest Street Bridge at 10am on Sunday.
Visit the Clean Up Australia Day website for details on all the registered clean ups in Ballarat.
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