5.5m National Trust members get the great litter army call-up
THE ranks of our clean-up army are set to swell after the National Trust yesterday urged its 5.5million members to back the Great British Spring Clean.
The organisation’s support is another massive boost to the Daily Mail’s campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, which in just four days has seen a phenomenal response.
Already, 43,000 volunteers have signed up to clear away litter at 770 clean-up events across the UK.
And, as Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers urged Britons to spare a few hours to join in the action, some 284 schools have also come forward as recruits.
The National Trust follows Boris Johnson in backing the campaign, as well as major organisations including the Women’s Institute, the RSPCA, the Co-op, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.
Much-loved children’s TV characters the Wombles have also come out of hibernation to support the campaign.
Last year 563,000 volunteers signed up to help cart away thousands of tons of rubbish, making it the biggest environmental action ever seen in the UK – and up from 370,000 the year before.
But this year the Daily Mail aims to recruit one million people to take part in litter picks, an ambition that requires the help of organisations big and small.
As one of the UK’s biggest landowners, the National Trust is responsible for more than 780 miles of coastline. Its staff and volunteers see first-hand the devastation that litter, particularly single-use plastic, wreaks on the environment.
Yesterday its chief executive Hilary McGrady said volunteers carted away thousands of plastic bottles last year in a cleanup of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, which it is responsible for looking after. She said: ‘As a conservation charity, we work hard to keep our properties, countryside and coastline clean and tidy, but litter continues to be a real challenge.
‘Every week our staff and volunteers have to remove rubbish from beaches and paths, gardens and car parks, but this means they have less time to do valuable conservation work.
‘We need everyone’s help to tackle the problem – whether it’s getting involved in an organised event like a beach clean, or encouraging others to take their litter home with them.
‘Because not only is litter an eyesore, it’s also a huge problem for wildlife. In just one day last year, our rangers and volunteers at the world-famous Giant’s Causeway collected more than 500 kilos [0.5 tons] of rubbish from the sea.
‘The area is home to pods of dolphins, breeding seabirds and even the occasional orca, which can become entangled in rubbish or mistake it for food.’
She added: ‘We know from our research that people who spend time in nature are more likely to look after it in the future.
‘That’s why we’re pleased to support initiatives like the Great British Spring Clean that inspire people, including our members and supporters, to come together and make a difference to their local environment.’ As well as members, the National Trust also has 65,000 volunteers, who are also being urged to pitch in to help the Great British Spring Clean.
Litter picks have been organised as far north as the beach of Inverie in Scotland, to Truro in Cornwall. The events will take place in quiet rural spots such as Acle village in
Norfolk, as well as busy cities such as Gateshead in Tyne and Wear. In a show of support yesterday, Mrs Villiers said: ‘Well done to the Daily Mail and Keep Britain Tidy for once again rallying communities to get out and tackle the scourge of littering.
‘Litter damages our natural environment and our wildlife, can hold back economic success in our town centres and spoils our public parks and green spaces.
‘We know it’s a real problem in people’s everyday lives, which is why we’re working with Keep Britain Tidy on our national Keep it, Bin it awareness campaign.
‘ Last year’s Spring Clean was a huge success and it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm at the Parliamentary launch e arlier this week. I’m sure people up and down the country will step up again to make this year even better.
‘Join me in signing up to take part, spare a few hours and do your bit to help our precious environment.’
The Daily Mail, which is calling for a national deposit return scheme to stop plastic bottles being dumped, has long campaigned against the scourge of litter with its Turn The Tide on Plastic campaign.
Julian Kirby, plastics campaigner, of Friends of the Earth said: ‘It’s great to see the return of
Great British Spring Clean, and the great work it does to clear up rubbish and plastic waste, but businesses must produce less throwaway waste in the first place. We need tougher government action to challenge this wasteful culture.’
As well as major organisations, councils across the UK are urging residents to join the campaign.
Aylesbury Vale District Council, which last year organised 25 volunteer litter picks, said yesterday: ‘We’re calling upon all Aylesbury Vale parishes, community groups, organisations and volunteers to get involved with this fantastic campaign and help us keep the Vale clean and green.’ Farnham Town Council in Surrey is sponsoring a litter pick on Saturday March 28 – and promises tea coffee and cake in the council chamber for all volunteers as an incentive.
Meanwhile South Gloucestershire Council urged: ‘Friends, families, neighbours, parish and town councils, community and voluntary groups, church groups, schools, students, youth clubs, Scouting and Guiding groups, cadets and businesses are all invited to take action against litter.’
And finally Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, said he was ‘making plans to do my bit to blitz local litter in the weeks ahead’.