An article in last week's Avon Valley Advocate discussing trolley littering around the streets of Northam and the Avon River has prompted the community to take up the 'Northam Trolley Challenge', a phrase coined by the local chamber of commerce.
The initiative has seen members of the community collect abandoned trolleys and return them to the stores they belong to.
It has even gone as far as clients of the the Fresh Start Recovery Program fishing out deserted trolleys from the river.
Fresh Start Recovery Program general manager David Gunter said the move by the rehabilitation centre was driven by the group's community ethos.
"True to our value of community, the Northam Recovery Program residents went above and beyond the call of duty in the Northam Trolley Challenge, helping pull abandoned shopping trolleys from the Avon River and surrounds," he said.
"As one of our residents quoted, 'you look after the Northam community, and the Northam community will look after you'."
Last week, the Avon Valley Advocate reported that an increase in abandoned shopping trolleys had sparked threats from the Shire of Northam to take action against the supermarkets who owned the trolleys.
The Shire of Northam said it was an offence to leave a shopping trolley in a public place outside of the shopping centre and perpetrators could be fined $200.
Coles trolleys can be reported to their abandoned trolley hotline on 1800 876 533, or to Woolworths on 1800 641 497.
If you report a trolley to Coles or Woolworths and it is not collected within a week email the Shire of Northam at records@northam.wa.gov.au so further action can be taken.
Have an opinion? Send a letter to eliza.wynn@avonadvocate.com.au.
