Residents across North Yorkshire are being encouraged to get involved in a nationwide litter-picking campaign aimed at keeping communities clean and protecting the environment.
The Great British Spring Clean, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, runs from March 13 to 29 and calls on people to show pride in where they live by taking part in mass litter-picking efforts.
North Yorkshire Council is supporting residents and community groups who want to organise their own clean-up events by offering advice and lending equipment such as high-visibility vests, litter pickers and bags. The council can also arrange for the collection of rubbish gathered during organised litter-picks.
As part of the campaign, the charity is asking people to pledge to collect at least one bag of litter from streets, parks, beauty spots and beaches to help protect wildlife and improve local areas.
The council’s executive member for managing the environment, Richard Foster, said many residents and groups already organise litter picks throughout the year.
He said: “Many residents and community groups carry out litter-picks all year round, helping to keep our green spaces clean and protect wildlife from harmful waste.
“We work with town and parish councils as well as community groups to ensure that organised litter-picks run smoothly, and this campaign is a great way of putting the issue into the spotlight.”
He added: “I would encourage everybody to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean. By collecting just one bag of rubbish, it creates cleaner spaces for people to enjoy, and means the county is a more attractive place to live and visit.”
Young volunteers are already setting an example. Ten-year-old Stan Cullen-Shute and his six-year-old sister Mali, from the village of Denton near Ilkley, recently spent part of their weekend collecting litter from the roadside.
After an hour they had filled a bag with rubbish, including takeaway wrappers and coffee cups.
They said: “Inspired by our neighbour, we spent a Sunday afternoon walking up the lane with a litter picker and a bin bag and picked up a load of rubbish. People can be inconsiderate sometimes.
“We hope we can make a bit of a difference and are proud to play a role in keeping Denton clean and lovely for anyone who visits.”
Chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, Allison Ogden-Newton, thanked the county for its support.
She said: “The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to show their pride in where they live and connect with like-minded people while taking action to protect the environment on their doorstep.
“We are humbled to see our army of Litter Heroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the planet a cleaner, safer place for future generations.”
More information about organising a community litter-pick is available on the North Yorkshire Council website, while details of how to take part in the campaign can be found at the Keep Britain Tidy website.
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