CHARITY FEARS LITTERING EPIDEMIC AS PEOPLE FLOCK TO PARKS AND BEACHES

Keep Britain Tidy urges visitors to take their rubbish home in order to keep public spaces clean and safe for everyone.

Our local parks have been a lifeline for many people over past two months and, as lockdown eases and we are all able to spend more time there, there is a real risk  they will turn into rubbish dumps.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the international quality marks for both parks and beaches across the country, is today calling on everyone to do their bit to keep parks and beaches clean by taking their litter home with them and putting it in their own bin.

Despite the easing of restrictions, local authorities are still facing immense challenges, protecting and supporting those who are vulnerable and shielding, while also trying to maintain essential front-line services.

Keep Britain Tidy Deputy Chief Executive Richard McIlwain said: “The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how much people across Britain value their local parks and green spaces and how vital they are for our physical and mental health.

“Now that the government’s new guidelines allow people to spend more time in these precious spaces, we all need to do our bit to keep them clean and safe for everyone.

“Council staff across the country deserve all our thanks and support for the work they have been doing while we have been staying at home and now is the time when we can show them our gratitude by doing our bit.

“Bins may not be emptied as often as normal and litter-picking may be limited so if you are eating or drinking in the park or at the beach, don’t under any circumstances leave your rubbish where you’ve been sitting and don’t fill the bins there with it – take it home.

“We all want to be able to enjoy places that are clean and litter-free and this will not be possible if people don’t act themselves.

“No one wants to see pictures of our beautiful parks and beaches strewn with litter and plastic pollution and we hope that everyone will heed this message and do their bit.”

Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the Green Flag Award – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – and the Blue Flag award for beaches issued advice for people thinking of travelling farther afield to spend time outdoors.

• Please be aware that use is likely to increase so check that facilities such as car parks are open before you go and stay alert at entrances or other pinch points.
• If you take part in outdoor sports and other activities, including fishing – this must take place on your own, with your household, or with one other person while adhering to social distancing.
• Do not use play or outdoor gym equipment as this remains closed.
• To stay safe, you must take hygiene precautions when you are outside, and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors, and keep at least two metres apart from anyone outside your household at all times.
• Please look out for, and follow, any instructions on signage or any given by park staff.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity that cares for the environment on your doorstep. We work to eliminate littering, reduce waste and improve public space. We run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.