Volunteers needed for Great British September Clean

The Great British Spring Clean, which was postponed by Keep Britain Tidy in March, is taking place this month (September) with new COVID guidance in place.

Dacorum Borough Council is supporting the campaign renamed, The Great British September Clean, calling on volunteers from around the borough to join in the national cleaning efforts.

In the spring, over 680,000 volunteers had registered to litter pick around the UK, with more than 730 volunteers pledged to take part locally. Before the event was postponed, 163 participants from around the borough collected 54 bags of recycling and 81 bags of rubbish. With the announcement of the September event, individuals and groups of up to six people are all welcome to sign up to carry out litter picks in their local communities.

The September clean comes at an important time as the discarding of COVID-related litter, including used facemasks, gloves and wipes has become more prevalent around the UK. Councils and charities, such as the Woodland Trust, have seen an increase in this type of litter found in their outdoor green spaces.

The Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy Richard McIlwain said: ‘The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how much people across Britain value their local parks and green spaces and how vital they are for our physical and mental health.

‘We all want to be able to enjoy places that are clean and litter-free and this will not be possible if people don’t act themselves.’

Dacorum Borough Council will be loaning out litter picking equipment including sticks, recycling bags and rubbish bags in support of any local litter picks planned.

Sign up today to be a part of the Great British September Clean and organise your own litter pick. Please visit our webpage to find out more: www.dacorum.gov.uk/gbsc.