PM: ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES TO TIDY BRITAIN!
Boris calls for post-Covid clean-up – and hails relaunch of Mail’s great litter pick
BORIS Johnson today calls on the nation to ‘roll up our sleeves’ and clean up the rubbish discarded during the lockdown.
The Prime Minister is throwing his weight behind a fight against litter being backed by the Daily Mail.
Pubs and restaurants being closed for months has led to parties in parks, on beaches and at beauty spots. Plastic and waste have piled up in areas of natural beauty after callous visitors tossed their rubbish aside.
The Great British Spring Clean, run by Keep Britain Tidy and backed by the Mail, was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. But today the Prime Minister urges you and your family to do your bit – and restore
landmarks to their former glory. Renamed the Great British September Clean, the campaign is again encouraging everyone to hit the streets, parks and beaches in the fight against litter.
Mr Johnson said last night: ‘During the lockdown we have all felt more keenly the need to spend time outside, but with that we have sadly seen more litter spoiling our parks and open spaces.
‘This is a blight on communities and our otherwise beautiful countryside, and so I wholeheartedly support the Mail’s public-spirited campaign. While continuing to follow social distancing rules, we can all play our part by rolling up our sleeves and joining in the Great British September Clean.’
The Mail has mounted a litany of successful environmental campaigns in the past. This newspaper’s Turn the Tide on Plastic, Be a Tree Angel, and Curb the Cups movements have helped bring real change to Britain’s landscapes by winning the war on waste.
We also successfully pressed for the plastic bag levy that has slashed the number going to landfill and generated millions for charity.
A spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy said: ‘We really appreciate the Prime Minister’s recognition of the value of our precious outdoor spaces and the need to look after them. As he says,
‘The amount of rubbish is on another scale’
let’s stay safe, roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to cleaning up our beautiful country.’
After seeing its scenic gardens tarnished by selfish revellers during the lockdown, the National Trust has also come out in full force to support the Great British September Clean.
The trust, which owns more than 500 heritage properties, gardens and sites, has had staff and volunteers clearing up litter throughout the pandemic.
It said the amount of waste left at some sites had been ‘on another scale’ and it was wholeheartedly backing the push to make Britain beautiful again.
The trust also warns the rubbish strewn across its land is having a grave effect on local fauna, who become injured or even killed by litter.
Rob Rhodes, head of countryside management and rangers, said: ‘ We work hard to keep our properties, countryside and coastline clean and tidy, but litter continues to be a real challenge. Lately, the amount of rubbish being left at some sites is on another scale.
‘Last week our teams at Studland Beach spent the best part of a day clearing up barbecues, tents, clothing and food and drink waste which had been left strewn across the sand.
‘Litter not only spoils the landscape but poses a threat to wildlife, which can easily become entangled or mistake it for food.
‘We’re pleased to support the Great September Spring Clean which is tackling this important issue and inspiring people wherever they are to make a difference to their local environment.’
The trust has emailed its 5.5 million members, encouraging them to get involved. Chief executive Hilary McGrady said: ‘We know from our research that people who spend time in nature are more likely to look after it in the future.’
The Wombles of Wimbledon Common have even come out of hibernation to encourage everyone – especially children – to get involved in the fight against litter. Earlier this year the characters were given a CGI makeover as part of a relaunch that aimed to inspire young environmental enthusiasts.
‘We are delighted to supporting the September Clean,’ Orinoco said. ‘We have been incredibly busy in recent weeks tidying up after the humans but there is only so much we Wombles can do.
‘This is why we would like to encourage everyone, young and old, to join in and help tidy up our wonderful parks, beaches and countryside – at an appropriate social distance of course. If we all behave like Wombles, we can make our world even more beautiful.’
Whether it’s picking up a piece of litter on the way home from the shops, or going out in a small group to help clean up a small area, we want you to get involved.
The Great British September Clean will run from September 11 to 27.
For more information, or to pledge your support, visit keep britaintidy.org/gbseptemberclean