St. Oswald’s was proud to play its part in the Litter Free Leeds weekend at the end of March 2024, as a group of committed volunteers gathered to help clean up the churchyard and surrounding area.

Armed with purple litter bags and pickers, the team focused especially on removing plastic waste — including fragments of single-use floral arrangements that had been scattered by mowing. These tiny pieces of plastic pose a significant threat to soil health and wildlife, and volunteers were keen to ensure the churchyard remains a safe, beautiful, and environmentally friendly space for all.

The cleanup ties in with St. Oswald’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The church has already achieved the Silver Eco Church Award and is now working towards Gold, taking action across worship, land management, buildings, and community engagement.

As part of this effort, the church is kindly encouraging families to consider alternatives to single-use plastics when placing tributes on graves. Biodegradable or reusable options offer more environmentally responsible ways to honour loved ones without contributing to long-term pollution.

29/3/2025