How you can help keep the High Peak clean this September

Groups and communities across the UK are gearing up for the Great British September Clean - and residents in High Peak are being encouraged to get involved.

Keep Britain Tidy usually runs its big Spring Clean in March and around 680,000 volunteers had signed up to take part but, as with so many other things, Covid-19 meant it couldn’t go ahead then so it’s taking place this month instead.

The campaign runs from 11 to 17 September and people are being urged to take action to clean up streets, parks and other public places.

Things are a little different this year but there are two options for anyone wanting to get involved:

• Organise a private clean up with up to five members of your family and friends
• Pledge to do your own individual clean up – even if you can only spare a few minutes

Councillor Jean Todd, Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and Community Safety at High Peak Borough Council, said: “Our neighbourhoods and local communities have become more important to us than ever this year and this is a great opportunity for people to get out and about and do something positive which will make a visible difference to the spaces they love.

“Taking part in activities outdoors is good for us in so many ways but it’s important that volunteers follow all the necessary safety guidelines to contain the spread of the coronavirus by ensuring they maintain a distance from others taking part and that they regularly sanitise their hands.”

The borough council's waste partners AES can supply litter picking sticks, high-vis vests and gloves and will pick up the rubbish that’s collected. Email parks-streetsHPBC@allianceenvironmental.co.uk if you want to get involved.

Cllr Todd added: “If you would like to join an existing litter picking team, instead of creating your own have a look at Buxton Town Team’s website under the ‘active project’ section to find out more about what they are doing. There are similar groups carrying out activities in towns across the High Peak.”

People can find out more about the Great British September Clean campaign at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean.