Litter-pick events to take place over three days next month

The Great British Spring Clean is a campaign with the aim of bringing people across the country together to clear up the litter that blights towns, villages, countryside and beaches.

Organised by Keep Britain Tidy and supported by the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP), the event takes place from Friday March 2 until Sunday March 4. It will coincide with litter-picks taking place all over the country.

Last year, more than 300,000 people were inspired to clean up their local neighbourhoods as part of the event. This year it is hoped that 400,000 people will venture outdoors and get litter-picking in their communities.

The DWP is supporting the event by providing picking equipment, protective clothing and rubbish bags to volunteers and groups, as well as arranging for the disposal of the bags of litter.

Cllr Tony Alford, chair of the Dorset Waste Partnership’s Joint Committee, said: “Communities and volunteer groups are a vital part in our battle against litter in Dorset, so the Great British Spring Clean is a great opportunity for people to come together and help keep our environment free of rubbish.

“The Dorset Waste Partnership is proud to do our bit, whether it’s the regular street cleansing activities we carry out every day, or providing support to those dedicated people who want to roll up their sleeves and get involved themselves.

“If you’ve got an hour or two to spare, head over to the Great British Spring Clean webpage.”

Whether you want to organise a litter-pick or join one already taking place, go to keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean to find out everything you need to know.

The Dorset Waste Partnership also provides guidance and support on its litter-picking webpage at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/street-care/community-litter-picks

Dorset litter-pick organisers are asked to contact the DWP in advance to provide details and arrange pick-up of any bags of rubbish so they can be left in a place that collection crews can find and access easily.