In the past 12 months, people have relied on the places close to home – the local park or beach – as somewhere to escape to, to exercise and to play.
Now, North East Lincolnshire Council has once again pledged its support for Keep Britain Tidy’s annual campaign and is asking as many people as busy to do their bit and clear up the litter that can blight these places as part of its Great British Spring Clean.
The campaign, which runs from 28 May – 13 June 2021, calls on the public to pledge to clean-up and help the charity achieve a million miles of litter-picking.
This year’s campaign comes as the charity has reported a massive increase in the number of people who have started litter-picking during the various lockdowns. It has seen the number of #LitterHeroes grow by a third in less than 12 months.
People in North East Lincolnshire can get involved by filling in a litter picking form at www.nelincs.gov.uk/litter-picks. This is an updated process for people to let the council know about litter picks.
Volunteers in North East Lincolnshire will be asked to separate the litter they pick into two bags: one for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and a second for the rest of the rubbish. The council will then collect these bags to ensure that they are recycled appropriately.
For any queries, please email [email protected].
It is important any community groups or those litter picking read the coronavirus guidance, which can be found at www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean/coronavirus-guidance
The Great British Spring Clean, now in its sixth year, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep. In 2019, more than half a million #LitterHeroes collected just under a million bags of litter, weighing around 4,308 tonnes.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “North East Lincolnshire has some extremely dedicated community groups who work tirelessly throughout the entire year to make their community a better place. We know communities can have a huge impact on their local area, helping to keep it clean and tidy – somewhere to be proud of.
“The Great British Spring Clean gives us all the opportunity to play our part and do our bit for the environment.
“You don’t have to be part of a community group to get involved. People are invited from all ages to come together to make a difference.
“I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved, either as an individual or as part of a group. No matter how big or small your contribution is, it all makes a difference.”
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, added: “As lockdown restrictions have eased over recent weeks, more and more people have been getting out and enjoying the outdoors. But please remember to respect the environment – put your rubbish in a bin or take it home with you. Littering will not be tolerated, and you face a £100 if you do.
“When people leave litter, it makes the place look a mess and it harms wildlife. If it’s left on the beach, it can wash into the sea where it poses a danger to fish and other marine animals. Don’t destroy what you’ve come to enjoy.”
Keep Britain Tidy, Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton, said: “The Great British Spring Clean would not be possible without the support of local authorities, including North East Lincolnshire Council.
“We have all spent a lot more time in our local area in the past year and have come to realise just how important our local park or green space is for our mental and physical health.
“We need to care for these spaces and the Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for everyone to take a small action that, collectively, can make a big difference.
“Whether you commit to do five minutes or five hours, every single pledge will help us reach our million-mile target and clear many tonnes of litter pollution from our environment.”
Pledge to get involved today at www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean
#GBSpringClean #MillionMileMission
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