16 February 2022

| | 2 min read

Environment

Newcastle City Council urges residents to support Keep Britain Tidy’s #BigBagChallenge

Residents in Newcastle are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and do their bit to help clear the litter that blights their communities.

The Director of Operations and Regulatory Services Christine Herriot, Cabinet member for Development, Neighbourhoods and Transport Cllr Ged Bell and Head of Local Services and Waste Management Mick Murphy with staff carrying out a litter pick in Kenton in 2021
The Director of Operations and Regulatory Services Christine Herriot, Cabinet member for Development, Neighbourhoods and Transport Cllr Ged Bell and Head of Local Services and Waste Management Mick Murphy with staff carrying out a litter pick in Kenton in 2021

Schools, businesses, organisations and community groups can help spruce up their streets and beauty spots by supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s annual Great British Spring Clean.

This year’s national campaign runs from March 25 to April 10, with residents being urged to pick at least one bag of litter to help protect our communities and precious wildlife habitats.

Cllr Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for development, neighbourhoods and transport, said: “As a council we work incredibly hard to keep our city clean but we cannot be everywhere at once, so everyone needs to take responsibility for looking after the environment.

“The council is always keen to support community clean ups, with many councillors across the city actively getting involved to help make our city the clean, green, brilliant place we all want it to be.

“The Great British Spring Clean campaign is another fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together and celebrate the incredible work that goes on in our communities.

“It is also a great way for volunteers to get some exercise, meet new people and make a big difference in their community.

“We are encouraging everyone to take part, particularly on Saturday, April 2 as part of a city-wide spring clean.”

Groups can get safety advice, equipment including children’s litter pickers and arrange for bin bags to be collected by visiting www.newcastle.gov.uk/litterpick.

And volunteers who help clean up their communities are encouraged to promote what they are doing by emailing hello@yourcityyourhome.co.uk or by posting on social media with the hashtag #yourcityyourhome.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “In the past two years our outdoor spaces and places have mattered to us more than ever before as more people have embraced them during the pandemic.

“During this year’s Great British Spring Clean, we are calling on everyone in Newcastle to harness the power of collective environmental action by taking on the #BigBagChallenge.

“Whether it’s pledging to pick just one bag, or more, we can all carry out small acts of kindness - for our planet and for ourselves.”

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