March forward and pledge to pick just one bag of litter

Rochdale Borough Council is appealing to the local community to pledge to pick one bag of litter or more this March for Keep Britain Tidy’s ninth Great British Spring Clean.

The campaign, which runs from 15 to 31 March, needs help from residents, councillors, schools and local businesses across the borough to get together to show their pride in their community by taking part in the mass action litter pick.

The council is lending its support to back the charity’s #BigBagChallenge – a plea to the public to pledge on the charity’s website to pick litter from streets, parks and beauty spots to protect vibrant communities and precious wildlife habitats. 

It is taking place in the year that the charity marks its 70th platinum anniversary – after being founded by Women’s Institute members in 1954.

There are planned litter picks taking place right across the borough in a bid to pick litter from the borough’s street and public spaces during Britain’s favourite environmental charity’s clean-up campaign. 

Councillor Liam O’Rourke, the council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “We are fully supporting this year’s Great British Spring Clean, and if you can help collect just one bag, you are helping our hard-working teams and your local community create a place to be proud of, not just now but all year round.

“There are so many benefits of litter picking. The satisfaction and the overwhelming feeling of achievement of taking action to beat litter where you live, plus the many other benefits to boost mental health, protecting the wildlife and the opportunity to meet new people. Make your pledge today.”

The charity reports that last year:

96 per cent of participants agreed that they felt they had made a difference to their local area

84 per cent agreed that the Great British Spring Clean helped them to feel inspired to do more to protect the environment.

Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “The Great British Spring Clean would not be possible without the backing of our community partners. 

“We are grateful for the ongoing support from Rochdale Borough Council as local authorities play a critical role in engaging and supporting volunteers on the ground. 

“The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to show their pride in where they live and connect with like-minded people while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep. 

“During this year’s campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and 70th-anniversary celebrations.

“Whether it’s a pledge to pick one bag - or 70 for our anniversary, the borough of Rochdale can feel proud to see their armies of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to create a cleaner, safer place for future generations.”

People can make a #PlatinumPledge to mark Keep Britain Tidy’s 70th year by picking 70 items, 70 bags, or spending 70 minutes in the great outdoors litter-picking.

Litter-picking kits are available from the council, and picked rubbish can be collected by arrangement.

Find out more about the campaign, make a pledge and book equipment at rochdale.gov.uk/litterpick