Residents in Wealden are being encouraged to help celebrate the platinum anniversary of Keep Britain Tidy by supporting the annual Great British Spring Clean campaign.
From 15-31 March, residents can get involved by picking one bag, or more, of litter from streets, parks, beauty spots, and beaches.
Uckfield Town Council fully supports this campaign and encourages anyone with a passion for their community and the environment to get involved, finding out more about the Keep Britain Tidy initiative.
Even the smallest action can make a difference – something that is at the heart of this campaign.
Campaign direction in the local area comes from Wealden District Council, which has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to highlight the importance of protecting the environment that ‘belongs to everyone’.
In partnership with Biffa, Wealden District Council is pleased to be supporting groups from around the district in their litter-picking efforts through the supplying of equipment for the collection of the bags of litter.
One such group is, of course, Brighter Uckfield, who are recent recipients of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and are always looking for new volunteers to take part in their picking and planting activities.
This year’s campaign comes as Keep Britain Tidy marks its platinum anniversary, having been founded by Women’s Institute members in 1954. People can make a #PlatinumPledge to mark Keep Britain Tidy’s 70th year such as by picking 70 items, 70 bags, or spending 70 minutes in the great outdoors litter-picking.
Wealden DC Councillor Gareth Owen-Williams said: “Protecting our environment is important and community-led litter-picking groups are already set up across the district. We are very appreciative of the hard work they do to keep our countryside, roadways, and public spaces clean and tidy. This is a campaign that is open to the whole family, businesses, or individuals. There are also several events happening across the district with some town and parish councils getting involved and organising local litter picks too.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “The Great British Spring Clean simply would not be possible without the backing of our community partners. We are so grateful for the ongoing support from Wealden District Council.
“The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded people while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep.
“During this year’s campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and 70th-anniversary celebrations.
“Local authorities play a critical role in engaging and supporting volunteers on the ground. Whether it’s a pledge to pick one bag – or 70 for our anniversary – Wealden can feel proud to see their armies of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the district a cleaner, safer place for our future generations”.
The charity reports that last year 96% of participants agreed that they felt they had made a difference to their local area and 84% agreed that the Great British Spring Clean helped them to feel inspired to do more to protect the environment.
Get involved in the Great British Spring Clean today by pledging at: www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean and using the hashtags #GBSpringClean #BigBagChallenge.
For further information and to get involved, contact recycling@wealden.gov.uk.
Feature image credit: Keep Britain Tidy