Popular start for environment campaign
The Great British Spring Clean has made a successful start in Ashford this week, as it began its one month environment campaign on Friday.
Billed as the year of the environment, boroughs across the country are trying to promote and protect the planet by taking part in a range of campaigns and initiatives aimed at tackling issues like litter and reducing pollution.
Taking place from 22nd March – 23rd April, the Great British Spring Clean is one of these campaigns, and it allows residents to get involved in litter picking throughout their town, making the environment a safer, attractive and cleaner place.
Councillor Clair Bell is the portfolio holder for Environment and Land Management in the town, and she believes the Spring Clean will only encourage people to get involved.
She said: “The Great British Spring Clean started this month and it has already proved very popular and successful.
We believe this year provides an opportunity to generate momentum and drive Ashford’s continued motivation to reduce our waste and litter, to engage with our wildlife and the environment and to live more sustainably.”
“There have been 15 volunteer litter picks already organised for March and April, with an estimated 280 volunteer litter pickers hitting the streets of Ashford to make them a cleaner and safer place to live.
“In addition, our Ashford in Bloom competition will be relaunched this spring in celebration of the Year of the Environment- encouraging our residents to take pride in their gardens and enhancing Ashford’s beauty.”
Photo credit: Keep Britain Tidy
Other areas that she believes will benefit include wildlife and plastic waste, all of which will raise awareness throughout the borough.
She added: “We’re very excited about the projects which are currently underway and which are planned for the rest of the year, covering a large range of environmental issues including plastic waste, littering, gardening and active transport.
“These collaborative projects will raise awareness of important environmental issues, as well as influence behaviour change with the residents of Ashford and therefore benefit the borough in various ways.
“We believe this year provides an opportunity to generate momentum and drive Ashford’s continued motivation to reduce our waste and litter, to engage with our wildlife and the environment and to live more sustainably.”
The Spring Clean will take place until 23rd April