2020

Pigman Reminds Not to Litter in Nature

“This year, forest has met so many visitors who are seeking for inspiration, strength and wish to spend time outside their homes. City streets are empty – people keep mentioning new and yet unknown trails in Latvian forests and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is very unpleasant when, sitting down on a bench or in moss in a place of recreation, you notice discarded waste nearby such as bottles, plastic bags, candy papers and much more. They should not be in forest,” tells Pigman, the patron of clean forests, getting ready for the Big Clean-up, which took place in the whole territory of Latvia on 16 May.

Pigman urges everyone to be responsible for their actions and not to litter, as well as to observe the prescribed precautions during the emergency, when cleaning up forests alone in solitude, together with family members or in a small circle, keeping a distance of 2 metres.

More and more often, employees of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) find different waste in forest, the amount of which last year has significantly increased as compared to the previous year. Last year, almost 2 thousand cubic metres of waste were collected, which is the largest amount of waste collected in the last ten years.

Pigman, the patron of clean forests, tells: “It is not one day in a year that we clean up Latvia’s state forests. We do it every single day. The money that we spend to collect and remove waste from forest should better be invested in creating and renovating recreational areas. I am glad that more and more people take bags with them when they go to nature and take away not only their own waste, but also waste left by others, by irresponsible holidaymakers”.

LVM is a long-term partner of the Big Clean-up. This year, the clean-up takes place for the 13th time, this time with a greater emphasis on individual and family clean-ups. Both waste collection and improvement works are carried out. “Even during this period of emergency, we are able to maintain optimism. I am glad that people show activity and are ready to go to nature and clean up their surroundings. Latvia is the only country that is ready to take care not only of its health, but also of the environment even during the conditions of emergency. This is an attitude that we can call a true understanding of sustainability. Let's not forget that it is important to take care of your safety and, despite the fact that gathering is now allowed also in larger groups, a distance of 2 metres must still be observed!” says Vita Jaunzeme, the Manager of the Big Clean-up.