Take the #BigBagChallenge this Spring

Communities across the High Peak are being encouraged to join the #BigBagChallenge this Spring and help keep their local area free from litter.

High Peak Borough Council and its waste partner Alliance Environmental Services are once again supporting Keep Britain Tidy's Big Spring Clean which is now in its seventh year.

The campaign this year runs from 25 March to 10 April when individuals, families and community groups are invited to join forces and pledge to help keep streets, parks and open spaces clean by picking up litter.

Over 30,000,000 tonnes of litter is collected every year in the UK - and every bag makes a difference.

Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and Community Safety, Jean Todd, said: "Our street cleaning team do a great job of keeping public areas tidy but they can't be everywhere at once and sadly people do still drop litter.

"Our team is supported by people in communities across the High Peak who regularly get together to help pick up litter and I'd like to thank them for their efforts and the work they do to keep our Borough looking beautiful.

"If you'd think this is something you'd like to get involved with in your area then there's no better time than during the Big Spring Clean. Every piece of litter picked up and every single bag that's collected really does make a difference."

You can find out more, and register your litter pick, at www.keepbritaintidy.org/home

As well as being beneficial to the community and the environment, litter picking is a good way to stay active. And, as an added bonus, litter-pickers in the High Peak can earn themselves a free week enjoying the facilities at local leisure centres by signing up for Pick-Fit.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We've been delighted with the response to the Pick-Fit scheme which, since the launch last year, has had over 500 registrations and seen volunteers pick up over 3 tonnes of litter.

"Being active, and spending time outdoors, is good for our mental and physical health and doing something beneficial for the wider community, like picking litter, at the same time only adds to the feeling of wellbeing.

"When you sign up for the scheme you'll receive a pack containing a pick, gloves, a hi-vis vest and bin bags to help you get started. Once you've carried out a litter pick, and sent us proof, you'll get a pass for a free week at the leisure centre or a swim.

"That way you can try out the facilities and continue your fitness journey if you wish as well continuing to use the litter-picking equipment in your local area when you're out on a walk."