The countdown to the Great British September Clean (GBSC) has begun this week as ministers urge the public to roll up their sleeves and take part whilst adhering to social distancing.
The Daily Mail yesterday launched their 2020 anti-litter campaign in the run up to the September Clean, which is being organised by Keep Britain Tidy. The GBSC will take place from the 11-27 September in a drive to keep the country free of litter.
Further coverage today in the Mail highlights the voluntary litter picking efforts of furloughed workers on a mission to clean up Britain.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has heralded their efforts, saying:
"I would like to extend my personal thanks and gratitude to the community heroes that have stepped up to keep our towns, beaches and countryside clean during the lockdown.
"It has been inspiring to see so many devoting their time to this noble cause during what has been a very uncertain period, and I fully support the Mail’s campaign to keep the momentum going.
"We can all play our part in what must be a national effort to keep our country free of litter by joining the Great British September Clean. I certainly will be."
The government is urging people who are out and about to dispose of their litter in the correct manner or take it home with them. Councils have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £150 for littering as well as to the owners of vehicles from which litter is thrown.
As per the current coronavirus restrictions and guidelines, individuals can carry out voluntary litter-picking with members of the same household, as two households together, or with five other people from different households while maintaining a distance of at least two metres.
Any litter picking should be done with the appropriate safety equipment, including thick gloves, litter-pickers and heavy duty bags. Further information can be found on the Keep Britain Tidy website.
1 comment
Comment by Steve John posted on
Radical idea. Just watched a report on volunteers clearing incredible amounts of litter and debris from beauty spots in the UK.
Stop clearing for a few weeks. The places will no longer be beauty spots and the senseless visitors will stop coming. Once they have stopped coming, clear up, but don't tell them. They are thick and ignorant so will never know.
You will have your beauty spots back, devoid of scum.