THE BAYSIDE is about to get a little cleaner with the arrival of Rubbish Club, where picking up litter turns into building lasting connections.
When Magnus Murray-Douglass co-founded Rubbish Club, he wasn’t just thinking about the environment – he was thinking about people.
“We aren’t runners but saw the popularity of running clubs growing as people were searching for more connection in their community,” Mr Murray-Douglass said.
“We run a plastics recycling company called Boe Design and wanted to make some new friends and pick up rubbish at the same time.”
Rubbish Club has quickly grown into a movement, combining community connection with action.
Members meet up, grab a coffee, chat, and spend an hour picking up litter – turning a simple clean-up into a social event.
“If you’re looking to make some new friends and get out of the house, this is the perfect group for you,” he said.
With a strong community already established in Fortitude Valley, Rubbish Club is now expanding. The next stop? The Bayside.
“After numerous members have signed up in Brisbane, it’s time to expand to other areas around Australia where people want to meet new people and help their community,” Mr Murray-Douglass said.
Litter hotspots are everywhere, but one offender stands out.
“Our most commonly picked-up item is cigarette butts – by a long shot. Most commonly right beside bins too, unfortunately.”
Despite the challenges of litter pollution, the heart of Rubbish Club remains in the connections it fosters.
Mr Murray-Douglass believes that community involvement is paramount.
“Without connecting strangers and creating a group of like-minded people, we’d have nothing,” he said.
“We’ve grown an amazing community in the Valley, and we’re excited to do the same around Australia this year.”
Mr Murray-Douglass said the commitment was small, but the rewards were big.
“All our members are in the same boat – it’s a short and sweet way to kick off your weekend, and it only takes an hour,” he said.
Follow @rubbishclub.aus on social media or sign up at boedesign.com.au.
