Help keep Reading tidy during The Great British Spring Clean
- The Great British Spring Clean runs from 17 March to 2 April
- People can sign up for free litter picking equipment by joining the Council's RAYS scheme
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to get outside this month and help their local community by joining the Great British Spring Clean from 17 March to 2 April.
The nationwide event, now in its eighth year, is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. Reading Borough Council is supporting the campaign by offering support and equipment to residents to help them pitch in.
People can pledge to help either as an individual or as a group to take part in the Keep Britain Tidy’s event by helping clear litter from our streets, parks and open spaces.
Anyone interested in helping can get support to litter pick from the Council’s popular Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) programme. RAYS volunteers are provided with litter pickers, 100% recycled plastic bags, gloves and hi-vis jackets. RAYS has options for individuals, community groups, businesses and schools.
Residents interested in co-ordinating a group of individuals can visit www.reading.gov.uk/RAYS or contact RAYS@reading.gov.uk to find out more.
Other ways that residents can help is by reporting full bins or other waste related issues such as fly tipping via:
- The Love Clean Streets app, downloadable from your phone’s app store, where you can report incidences immediately along with photographic evidence and an exact location
- Contacting the Council via social media on Facebook or Twitter, or by phone on 01189 373787
Although the Great British Spring Clean ends on 2 April, residents can join the RAYS scheme in any month to help ensure Reading stays clean all year round.
Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“If you can provide the enthusiasm and get up and go, we can provide the support and equipment, and together we can get Reading looking fabulous for the summer.
"The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic event and a real opportunity for you to get outside for some fresh air, meet your neighbours, and do something that is both sociable and beneficial for you and others around you. From personal experience, there are few things more satisfying than a clean street that you and your neighbours have worked together to achieve.
"I hope that many of you will choose to lead by example and get in touch to help as keeping Reading clean is everyone’s responsibility. We can’t solve this problem on our own – we need everyone to take responsibility for their litter and encourage others to do the same.”
Find out more and sign up for the Big Spring Clean at www.keepbritaintidy.org