'LITTER HEROES' WANTED IN BRIGG

Brigg has a fine record over the years when it comes to volunteer litter-picking sessions to help tidy up the town.
They have been put on hold of late due to the Coronavirus emergency. However, details have now been announced of an event in September, with the hope that 'Litter Heroes' will step forward to assist.

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

The biggest ever campaign to clean-up North Lincolnshire is back – with the council calling on all litter heroes from across the area to take part.
The Great British September Clean, led by Keep Britain Tidy, gives people the opportunity to help clean up their community and make a difference.
Last year 400 volunteers from 40 groups across North Lincolnshire collected more than 1,000 large bin bags full of rubbish.
North Lincolnshire Council, which spends almost £1m of taxpayers’ cash every year cleaning up after other people, has backed the campaign for a number of years and has recently introduced a new environment protection team in response to residents’ increasing concerns about litter.
There are around 3,000 bins across North Lincolnshire. The council is responsible for around 1,500 as well as 540 dog waste bins while hundreds of others are available in towns and parishes across the area.
The new team will operate patrols across the county and can issue anyone over the age of 17 caught dropping, throwing or depositing litter on the ground with a £150 fine.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for the environment and strategic planning at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic initiative and I am sure that residents across our communities will come out in force to support the effort in September.
“We have some brilliant parks and open spaces in North Lincolnshire, that most people do not want to see tarnished by litter. These are places we should rightly celebrate and be proud of.
“The council has a zero tolerance policy to litter, and are committed to keeping the county clean and tidy.
“I would encourage all residents to join the big clean up. No act is too small. Just by picking up some litter when walking the children to school, for example, can make a big difference.”
The Great British Spring Clean normally takes place in the spring, but was postponed due to the Coronavirus. While the event has been adapted to ensure that people stay safe, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Whether that is by pledging to pick up litter while on a family walk or hosting a small clean up with family and friends, it all contributes to the effort.
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We already spend around £1m a year on keeping streets across the area clean and tidy and have recently introduced the new environmental protection team to issue fines to people who drop litter.
“These measures, combined with the community spirit we see across North Lincolnshire, will all contribute to making the area a nicer place to be so more people are kept safe and well.”
Keep Britain Tidy has published guidance to support all volunteers to litter-pick safely. They recommend that litter-picking is carried out alone, in pairs or small groups of up to a maximum of six people, in line with the current government guidance.
To take part in the big clean up, call the council on 01724 297670 or email neighbourhoodservices@northlincs.gov.uk The council can offer support including providing litter picking equipment and removing the rubbish you collect.
In addition to making the council aware, participants can also register their involvement online at the Keep Britain Tidy website to ensure that all clean-ups are recognised and added to the national map.
Share your litter picks using the hashtag #GBSeptemberClean
PICTURED: A previous litter pick in Brigg - volunteers photographed by Ken Harrison.