PICKING litter and getting fitter – you can make a difference!
That’s the message behind the Pick Up Six campaign launched this week by One Planet Middlesbrough: Creating Sustainable Communities.
They’re calling on local residents to help tackle the scourge of litter while enjoying a healthy walk as part of their daily routine.
Pick Up Six asks pedestrians to collect six pieces of litter as they make their journey and either recycle where possible or dispose of it appropriately.
Results can be logged using a webpage with an ongoing total displayed on the One Planet Middlesbrough website.
The project is being launched to coincide with Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign, which aims to clear up Britain in time for the Queen’s 90th birthday.
One Planet Middlesbrough Community Enabler Catherine Howell said: “Walking is an excellent way to improve your health and the environment, reducing air pollution and the use of fossil fuels.
“But some of our favourite routes could be more pleasant.
“Litter makes us all feel unhappy about our home town, and nationally it costs taxpayers around £1 billion a year to clear from our streets.
“Pick Up Six asks everyone to do a little bit without too much inconvenience and also makes sure that we recycle as much waste as we can.”
To register to take part in Pick Up Six email oneplanetmbro@menvcity.org.uk or record collections at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/C6HBFLZ
To start a Pick Up Six group in your local area, support is available from the One Planet Middlesbrough team – give them a call on 01642 243183.
For more information on Clean for the Queen is visit www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk
To report incidences of litter or fly-tipping, contact Middlesbrough Council’s Environment Hotline on 01642 726001 or visit My Middlesbrough my.middlesbrough.gov.uk