March ahead and help fight the battle against litter

Monday, 10 March 2025 07:20

By David Murphy

Cllr Angela Brown and the Roch Valley litter pickers undertake regular litter picks in Heywood.

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 tenth Great British Spring Clean.

The council supports the charity’s plea to the public to pledge on the charity’s website to pick up one bag or more of litter from streets, parks, and beauty spots to protect our vibrant communities and precious wildlife habitats.

The campaign, which runs from 21 March to 6 April, 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.

Participating in such campaigns also helps reduce costs associated with littering, fly-tipping and waste disposal.

From January 2024 to February 2025, the council and community groups removed more than 730 tonnes of fly-tipping and 4,140 tonnes of litter across the borough, at a cost of more than £235,000.

Councillor Tricia Ayrton, the council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for climate change and environment, said: “I’m passionate and proud that we are supporting this year’s Great British Spring Clean. The positive impact you can make by collecting just one bag of litter is significant in our battle against littering and rising costs, now and all year round.

“There are many benefits to litter picking for all ages. It’s not just about saving money but seeing the difference you have made in your local area, meeting new like-minded people, plus the added value of protecting local wildlife and the climate is extremely satisfying. Make your pledge today.”

The charity reports that:

In 2024 97 per cent of participants agreed that they felt they had made a difference to their local area.

And 84 per cent of people who took part in the Great British Spring Clean agreed that they felt more pride for their local area

The Great British Spring Clean brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep.

Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “We are so grateful for the game-changing support from Rochdale Borough Council.

“The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really 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 celebrate the 10^th Great British Spring Clean.

“We are humbled to see our army of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the planet a cleaner, safer place for our future generations.”

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 in advance at rochdale.gov.uk/litterpick