Join the Movement to Transform Britain: The Great British Spring Clean Returns!
The Great British Spring Clean is back, and it’s set to mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the nation from March 13 to 29. This year’s campaign offers an inspiring opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to come together and tackle the litter crisis head-on, making a tangible difference in communities up and down the country.
A Community Effort to Beautify Our Streets
Approximately 30 million tonnes of litter are dropped across the UK each year, but thanks to initiatives like Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, significant strides are being made to reverse this trend. Since its inception in 2016 as a one-off event, the campaign has galvanized an impressive army of Litter Heroes, who collectively have pledged to remove over 4.5 million bags of rubbish from public spaces.
The Impact of Volunteerism
Last year, almost 400,000 volunteers participated, collecting around 462,000 bags of litter. A remarkable 95% of surveyed participants reported that their efforts made a noticeable impact in their local areas. This widespread community engagement highlights the power of volunteerism and community collaboration.
Inspiring Story of a Modern Litter Hero
Among the many champions of this year's campaign is Emdad Rahman, a civil servant and one of Keep Britain Tidy’s 200 Litter Hero Ambassadors. Emdad leads the Little Litter League, which encourages young people and families to take pride in their environment. He emphasizes the importance of education and the belief that individuals can create significant change.
“I want to teach my children the importance of using their time well,” Emdad states, reinforcing the message that personal responsibility is key in solving the litter problem.
Corporate Partnerships Making a Difference
This year, the initiative has garnered support from major corporations, including Nestlé and KFC UK&I, that are fully committed to sustainability. Sarah Drakes from Nestlé shares her experience organizing employee litter-picking events, while KFC coaches ensure community involvement around restaurant locations. Mars Wrigley has also been instrumental, investing up to £10 million to reduce chewing gum littering through educational campaigns.
How You Can Get Involved
The Great British Spring Clean is a call to action for everyone. Whether individually or as part of a group, participants can pledge to collect a bag—or many bags—of litter during the campaign period. By signing up at keepbritaintidy.org, individuals contribute to a larger cause while fostering pride and care for their local environment.
Toward a Cleaner Future
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, acknowledges the vital role of community volunteers in tackling littering. She expresses gratitude to the Litter Heroes who have contributed to the removal of millions of bags of harmful waste, reinforcing that collective action can lead to lasting change.
As we approach the Great British Spring Clean, let’s unite to protect our natural surroundings and promote cleaner, healthier communities. Together, we can demonstrate that every small action counts towards a larger goal.
