Local Litter Pickers Needed for Million Mile Mission

The Great British Spring Clean will be returning this year with their most ambitious target to date: to litter pick a million miles around the UK.

Dacorum Borough Council is proud once again to be supporting the annual litter-picking campaign and is calling on everyone to join in with the national effort throughout May and June.

Keep Britain Tidy based their Million Mile goal on the idea that it takes the average person 20 minutes to walk a mile whilst litter picking. Reaching a million miles can be achieved if just 250,000 people pick up litter for an hour and 20 minutes.

Keeping the current government guidelines in mind individuals, schools, councils, local groups and businesses are being encouraged to help keep local communities clean, green and litter-free. Last year, over 250 local volunteers managed to safely collect more than 150 bags of rubbish and 101 bags of recycling from around the borough.

Dacorum’s outdoor spaces have gained a renewed sense of appreciation over the past year, offering a place to exercise, play or just get a breath of fresh air. Sadly, they have also experienced a rise in litter, especially COVID-related litter such as facemasks and gloves. In the last three months alone, volunteer litter pickers and Street Champions have collected a staggering 324 bags of rubbish from their local areas.

To be a part of the local clear up, simply sign up to litter pick anytime during the months of May or June. The pick can be just in a local street or local park – litter picking can also be undertaken while walking the dog, or try Plogging (jogging and litter picking at the same time).

Any schools that are interested in joining in the Great Big School Clean will have a little more time to plan, as all litter picks completed between 21 March and 13 June will count towards the campaign.

Dacorum Borough Council will be supporting all local litter heroes by loaning out litter picking equipment including litter pickers, recycling bags and rubbish bags as well as advice. A guide on how to have a COVID-safe litter pick is provided to all interested volunteers, with further information on the Keep Britain Tidy website: keepbritaintidy.org/GBSpringClean

To find out more about how to take part in the Great British Spring Clean and help represent Dacorum on the national stage, please visit the council’s website: www.dacorum.gov.uk/gbspringclean .

Residents can participate in keeping local streets clean, safe and green all year round by signing up to be a Street Champion. More information can be found on the council’s website: https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/street-champions