Litter picker, 87, makes TikToks to teach young

An 87-year-old litter picker and environmentalist is using TikTok videos to reach younger audiences.

Thomas Black, a retired businessman from Ilkley, has featured in four short anti-litter films by the social media campaign No One Likes a Tosser, which have reached more than half a million views.

Despite his fame, Thomas said he has not seen the videos and does not have the app.

"Apparently we've had over 140,000 hits but if you talk to me about TikTok or WhatsApp you know it's the other side of the moon, I don't understand it.

"A lot of my age group is not very technical and I've got friends who don't do emails, at least I do emails."

He said he mainly finds beer cans and cigarette packets on his solo litter picks, but the strangest thing he has found was a piano.

"If it wasn't for lots of good-hearted people who spend a lot of time doing it, it would be horrendous," he said.

Thomas took up the unusual hobby after noticing the amount of litter on verges while cycling across the country 10 years ago.

"You can't enjoy the countryside if every time you see a piece of litter it upsets you," he said.

"I went out on my own and I picked litter and at first I thought the council were at fault because they weren't cleaning the litter but subsequently I found the council do a fantastic job.

"They should be applauded - they are underpaid and overworked, and I then slowly realised how big the problem was."

Thomas thinks the solution is to teach young people at schools and encourage learner drivers to stop the habit – as well as creating less packaging.

"The stores have got become more responsible for litter. Packaging makes litter, litter doesn't make packaging," he said.

But Thomas enjoys walking the verges as it helps him feel he is contributing.

"It's therapeutic in a way, you feel you're doing something however small it is and it's amazing how many other people have the same view.

"Every day is a victory and who knows. The moment you roll over in bed and think I'll have an extra hour in bed that's a passport to nowhere. I think you've got to have a routine and give yourself certain challenges."

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