READING Borough Council is inviting community groups, individuals, and organisations to take part in this year’s Great British Spring Clean.
From today (March 13), the initiative sees a mass-action environmental campaign encouraging volunteers to take part in clearing litter from the streets, parks, and public spaces across the country.
As well as signalling its support for the annual campaign, the council is also offering free litter picking equipment to volunteers taking part.
Councillors say that the initiative compliments its own Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) movement, which encourages communities to work together to keep their streets, open spaces, footpaths, parks and shopping areas clean.
RAYS is open to individuals, community groups, businesses and schools, and will provide all the equipment needed to help keep streets, open spaces, footpaths, parks and shopping areas litter-free.
When signing up, volunteers receive litter pickers, recycled plastic bags, gloves, and hi-vis jackets for free.
The council is also encouraging the reporting of full bins or other waste related issues, such as fly-tipping, via The Love Clean Streets app, which is downloadable from your phone’s app store, where you can report incidences immediately along with photographic evidence and an exact location, or by phone.
Cllr Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “There are a great many enthusiastic teams of volunteers who are part of the Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) movement and play a vital role in keeping their local streets, open spaces, parks and footpaths clean throughout the year.
“The Great British Spring Clean is a great opportunity for neighbours, communities and colleagues to come together and make a positive difference.
She explained: “We are happy to support volunteers by offering equipment such as litter pickers, gloves and rubbish bags for free.
“The council’s dedicated Streetcare teams continue to carry out their cleaning rounds in all parts of the borough but our passionate RAYS volunteers go that extra mile to take pride in where they live.
“I simply cannot thank our wonderful volunteers enough for the work they do in this town. I join litter picks with several groups and it is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying activities that I do.
“I would encourage residents to give it a try just once and see if they don’t find the same level of satisfaction, and make a few new friends along the way.”
The Keep Britain Tidy campaign takes place from March 13-29.
Environmental reports such as those regarding full bins or waste-related issues via the Love Clean Streets app, or by calling: 0118 937 3787.
More information about the Great British Spring Clean is available via: keepbritaintidy.org
