Hundreds Take Part in Dacorum’s Great British Spring Clean 2022

In March and April, Dacorum Borough Council supported the Great British Spring Clean campaign which succeeded in becoming one of the most successful Dacorum community action events this year.

Volunteers from around the borough helped clear over 400 bags of litter, almost half of which were recyclable litter. A large number of fly tips around local streets and parks were also reported and cleared.

The annual event saw a combined effort from 324 volunteers, made up of individuals, families, schools, scout groups, businesses and local charities all contribute to the cause. Some had participated in previous Spring Cleans while others experienced their first litter pick.

This year, Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the national Great British Spring Clean campaign, emphasised the positive impact collecting just one bag of litter can make to our local environment by encouraging everyone to take on the ‘Big Bag Challenge’.

Councillor Graham Barrett, portfolio holder for Environmental Services, expressed his appreciation, ‘The Great British Spring clean is a fantastic national campaign and I am delighted that so many Dacorum residents took part. The amount of litter collected was incredible and that so much of it was recyclable, is a bonus. On behalf of all our residents my thanks to all those who took part.’

The most common items found were bottles and cans, crisp packets, cigarette butts and face masks. Preventing litter starts with making sure rubbish is always placed in a street bin. If there are no street bins nearby or the bins are full, rubbish should be taken home where it can be disposed of or recycled properly. Following this advice can help protect others in the community as well as the environment.

The Great British Spring Clean may be the most popular time for litter picking but residents can give their support all year round. The Council loan litter-pickering sticks out and provide refuse and recycling bags for community litter picking events at any time of year. For individuals interested in litter picking more regularly, can sign up to the Council’s Street Champions scheme. Learn more by visiting the Council’s Clean, Safe and Green page (www.dacorum.gov.uk/litterpicks).