Join us on a Great British Spring Clean!

Beach litter bag station on Deal Promenade by Sandown Castle Gardens

The Great British Spring Clean takes place from 28 May until 13 June and you can join in and support the initiative across the Dover district.

Hosted by Keep Britain Tidy, the national campaign is on a #MillionMileMission to clear litter from the country’s streets, parks, beaches and countryside.

In the past 12 months, outdoor spaces have mattered to residents more than ever, supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing throughout the lockdown.

To support this year’s campaign, Dover District Council (DDC) is:

• Supporting community litter picks by providing equipment and arranging for the collection and disposal of any litter that has been collected.
• Installing nine beach litter bag stations across the district to encourage residents to bag and bin their waste when at the beach.
• Encouraging residents who smoke to dispose of their cigarette butts safely using dedicated cigarette butt ballot bins in Dover and Deal town centres for the duration of the campaign, and giving out pouches across the district.
• Introducing two-minute beach cleans, as spearheaded by The 2 Minute Foundation, a registered charity devoted to cleaning up the planet 2 minutes at a time with simple, achievable acts that can add up to make a great difference.
• Reminding residents to clean up after their dogs, “scoop the poop” and dispose of it responsibly.
• Highlighting the scourge of litter on road verges and educating residents to take their rubbish home with them or face penalty fines.
• Running a photography competition for residents aged 18 and under, encouraging them to take shots of their local area that instil pride in the district.

Local schools, businesses and community groups are being encouraged to do their bit for the Great British Spring Clean. Residents can also organise their own litter picks via DDC’s website www.dover.gov.uk/gbsc Covid guidelines will be followed, with hand sanitiser and gloves available if needed.

Cllr Nick Kenton, cabinet member for Regulatory Services, said: “The Council is pleased to be supporting the Great British Spring Clean this year. Small acts by members of our local community all add up to make a big difference. It is also volunteers’ week from 1 – 7 June, and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our hard-working litter picking groups who volunteer to support us in this way.”