Witney News - West Oxfordshire joins UK’s biggest clean-up

West Oxfordshire joins UK’s biggest clean-up

West Oxfordshire District Council is encouraging its residents to take action against litter by joining in with the nation's biggest ever clean-up.

In the run up to The Queen's 90th birthday celebration in 2016, Keep Britain Tidy is urging millions of people to spend a few hours litter-picking to make the places where we live more beautiful.

The campaign is calling for action during January, February and March with a grand litter picking weekend on the 4-6 March 2016.

The District Council can supply free refuse sacks and will collect any bagged up litter after the community clean up from agreed collection points. It also has limited supplies of litter picking equipment (litter grabbers, gloves and hi-visibility bibs) that can be loaned to volunteers.

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member responsible for the Environment, said: “Although there are many groups in West Oxfordshire already dedicated to keeping their local environment clean and carrying out regular litter picks, we hope that even more will be inspired to do this as part of the Clean for the Queen campaign.

“When the Queen was born, litter was not the problem that it is today. Used food packaging, plastic bottles and, takeaway meals have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our wildlife, streets and countryside. However, compared to other districts, our levels of littering are low and our standards are much higher than the national average. With the support of the community, our aim is to keep it that way.”

Call 01993 861000 to join in with West Oxfordshire District Council’s response to the 'Clean for the Queen' campaign.

Groups can register to be listed on the national ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign map by visiting www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk. Publicity resources can also be downloaded from this website.