Litter picking equipment is being made available by Wealden Council for volunteers taking part in this year’s Great British Spring Clean.

The campaign takes place from Friday, March 22, to Tuesday, April 23, and the council has bought litter picks, gloves, and bag hoops, and is offering them, along with waste sacks and waste collection services, to all groups taking part.

Last year 37 groups across Wealden collected some 2.5 tonnes of litter in their local communities, according to Cllr Roy Galley, the council’s cabinet member responsible for waste management. He is hoping even more people will want to take part this year.

Plastics

Cllr Galley said: “It is important we do all we can to stop plastics and other waste getting into water courses, and open country, where they can cause great harm to inquisitive wildlife.

“It is local people who best know their neighbourhood and where litter can build up. They can ensure their communities receive a thorough spring clean.”

He said that in addition to the council buying litter-picking equipment its waste contractor Kier was helping out by donating equipment and providing a special waste collection services.

Priority

Cllr Galley added: “Many groups already have their litter-picking equipment from previous events, so, until the end of February, priority will be given to new groups.

“After February, equipment will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Waste sacks and waste collection services are available to all groups.”

To find out how you can take part in the Great British Spring Clean in Wealden visit www.wealden.gov.uk/springclean, email springclean@wealden.gov.uk, or call 01323 443322.

Campaign

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said the organisation was delighted Wealden Council was supporting this year’s campaign.

She said: “The Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for the millions of people who care about the environment on their doorstep to do something positive that will make a visible difference.

“Without councils across the country giving the campaign their backing, our volunteers would not be able to do the incredible job they do.”

Read more about the Great British Spring Clean on the Keep Britain Tidy website.