The ultimate clean-up in County Durham is now underway, as the Big Spring Clean launches.
The annual event sees thousands of bags of litter cleared from local areas. This year’s litter pick will confront the amount of plastic thrown away as litter and ending up in the ocean.
Colleagues, friends and school groups are all being encouraged to get together to volunteer for The Big Spring Clean 2020 which runs until Friday 1 May.
Organised by Litterfree Durham and supported by Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, the campaign was launched with three special clean-up events at Darlington, Crimdon and Seaham.
At Seaham beach, representatives from Durham County Council, Sunderland City Council, Seaham Town Council and Durham Heritage Coast were accompanied by volunteers, including a group who all work at McDonalds in Dalton Park. Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, was also there to lend a hand.
As the campaign continues, Durham County Council’s civic pride team will be helping green groups with their clean-ups by providing equipment and getting out with volunteers.
Cllr Stephens said: “We are hoping to beat the 3,318 bags of litter collected last year and banish strewn litter.
“Our coasts and rivers are extremely precious to us environmentally and as places of real beauty it is important we take good care to keep them litter-free. The Spring Clean offers the opportunity to take positive action by working together.”
People interested in getting involved with a clean-up in their area can contact [email protected]