Watford Borough Council and its partner Veolia are backing a campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their local communities in March 2017.

The exciting Great British Spring Clean will be rolling out again in 2017. First seen in Watford in 2016 it is fast becoming an annual event helping to bring people together and clean up the country.

The council’s partner Veolia collected 951.41 tonnes of litter and flytipping between 28 March 2016 and 29 January 2017 – the equivalent of 21.62 tonnes of rubbish per week. The average double decker bus weighs just 12 tonnes. Watford Borough Council and Veolia are encouraging everyone to get involved in this national campaign to make Britain cleaner.

TV wildlife presenter and children’s favourite Steve Backshall is lending his support to the campaign, which is backed by key anti-litter charities: Keep Britain Tidy; Keep Wales Tidy; Keep Scotland Beautiful; Marine Conservation Society; and Surfers Against Sewage.
Many other organisations will be supporting the clean-up including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust and the RSPCA, as well as a range of businesses.

As part of their support for what is hoped to be the country’s biggest-ever community clear up Watford Borough Council and Veolia are seeking volunteers to take part in this initiative at various locations in Watford.

Cllr Peter Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Client Services, said: “The Great British Spring Clean is about everyone working together to clean up litter. We’re delighted to be taking part and bringing people together to tackle an issue that many of us care passionately about.”

So far clean-ups are taking place at Cassiobury Park, St Albans Road and Oxhey Park, with more being planned.

Matt Crane, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia Watford, said: “At Veolia we will be encouraging and supporting any groups or individuals who want to ‘do their bit’ to help clear litter from our streets and parks. We will be providing litter picking equipment and collecting the waste and recycling after the events. Many of our staff will also be joining the clean ups in their own time and we encourage everyone to take part in this fantastic event.”

Litter remains a huge problem across the country, causing harm to the environment and wildlife, with councils in England having to spend over £700 million on street cleaning services every year.

Volunteers are asked to email enquiries.watford@veolia.co.uk to confirm they’d like to take part. All equipment will be provided. Only people pre-registering will be allowed to participate to control numbers and ensure safety.
If you wish to set up your own clean up visit the main campaign website at www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk
Watford Borough Council and its partner Veolia are backing a campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their local communities in March 2017.

The exciting Great British Spring Clean will be rolling out again in 2017. First seen in Watford in 2016 it is fast becoming an annual event helping to bring people together and clean up the country.

The council’s partner Veolia collected 951.41 tonnes of litter and flytipping between 28 March 2016 and 29 January 2017 – the equivalent of 21.62 tonnes of rubbish per week. The average double decker bus weighs just 12 tonnes. Watford Borough Council and Veolia are encouraging everyone to get involved in this national campaign to make Britain cleaner.

TV wildlife presenter and children’s favourite Steve Backshall is lending his support to the campaign, which is backed by key anti-litter charities: Keep Britain Tidy; Keep Wales Tidy; Keep Scotland Beautiful; Marine Conservation Society; and Surfers Against Sewage.

Many other organisations will be supporting the clean-up including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust and the RSPCA, as well as a range of businesses.

As part of their support for what is hoped to be the country’s biggest-ever community clear up Watford Borough Council and Veolia are seeking volunteers to take part in this initiative at various locations in Watford.

Cllr Peter Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Client Services, said: “The Great British Spring Clean is about everyone working together to clean up litter. We’re delighted to be taking part and bringing people together to tackle an issue that many of us care passionately about.”

So far clean-ups are taking place at Cassiobury Park, St Albans Road and Oxhey Park, with more being planned.

Matt Crane, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia Watford, said: “At Veolia we will be encouraging and supporting any groups or individuals who want to ‘do their bit’ to help clear litter from our streets and parks. We will be providing litter picking equipment and collecting the waste and recycling after the events. Many of our staff will also be joining the clean ups in their own time and we encourage everyone to take part in this fantastic event.”

Litter remains a huge problem across the country, causing harm to the environment and wildlife, with councils in England having to spend over £700 million on street cleaning services every year.

Volunteers are asked to email enquiries.watford@veolia.co.uk to confirm they’d like to take part. All equipment will be provided. Only people pre-registering will be allowed to participate to control numbers and ensure safety.

If you wish to set up your own clean up visit the main campaign website at www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk

News Release: Watford Borough Council