Environmental campaigns
Clean Sweeps
We launched our Spring Clean Sweep on
1st April 2009, cleaning the
area next to Maidstone East station along the path
leading to the bridge over the Medway. Many thanks to all the
volunteers who gave up their time to help, including pupils from
New Line Learning Academy and the Cornwallis Academy, it was great
to see so many young people taking part.
For more information about how you or your community
group can take part in a Clean Sweep or organise your own
event contact the Cleansing Hotline on 01622 602162 or email
alisonsollis@maidstone.gov.uk So
far we have assisted many groups of volunteers to carry out their
own 'Clean Sweeps' by providing equipment and removing rubbish
etc.
Maidstone Mormons 'Helping Hands' day Saturday June
27th. Members of the Maidstone congregation of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints will spend the day
working together on serveral community service projects. One
of the projects will be to Clean Sweep areas in Maidstone, all
equipment will be provided. If you would like to join in,
please contact alisonsollis@maidstone.gov.uk
River Rubbish Roundup April
2009 Medway Valley Countryside Partnership led
groups of volunteers in a clean up along the banks
of the river Medway from Maidstone to
Tonbridge. Approximately 70 bags of rubbish were collected so
well done to all involved! This event is supported by
Maidstone, Tonbridge & Malling Councils, the Environment Agency
and Kent County Council.
.jpg "Verity Christian Fellowship Litter Pick Vinters Park March 09")
The Verity Christian Fellowship
Spring Clean of Vinters Park took place
on 28th March 2009.
Volunteers of all ages braved the weather to clean up the
local area, despite the rain! They were rewarded with
delicious home made refreshments in the Community Centre for
their efforts.
Marden Village Clean Up took place on 21st
March, where an army of over 70 Volunteers cleaned up the
countryside and collected two truckloads of rubbish!
Boughton Monchelsea villagers, including
volunteers from the Scout group, were also busy on Saturday
4th April. They collected over 50 sacks of rubbish and the most
unusual item found was a stuffed mouse!
We do need your help in keeping the neighborhood clean and tidy,
if you see any fly-tipping, dog fouling or graffiti, please contact
us on 01622 602162
Events:
'Encams' (Keep Britain Tidy) have launched a national
campaign to reduce fast food litter, Maidstone Borough Council is
supporting this campaign with several events. On Tuesday 20th
January, Captain Clean and the team were out raising
awareness of the harm and blight that litter has on the
environment. The team was also out in the evening on
Friday 23rd, passers by could have their photo taken and mounted
onto a key ring - in exchange for their views on fast food
litter.
Fast food businesses in the town have already been surveyed
as part of the campaign and officers will be re-visiting the
businesses, working with them to promote better understanding of
their role in tackling the national problem, such as reducing
packaging and keeping the areas surrounding the outlets
free from litter.
The Environmental Enforcement team will be carrying out some
high profile operations in the
town.
'Love Food Hate Waste' Campaign
A third of all the food we buy in the UK we throw away. Wasted
food is a waste of money and a major contributor to climate
change, and the most frustrating thing is that most of what we
throw away could have been eaten. Love Food hate Waste is a
campaign from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) that
provides tasty leftover recipes,
practical advice and top tips that helps us cut back on wasting
food. Visit Love Food Hate Waste for more ways to love food and
reduce our food waste.
News:
A new website has been formed by charity Cleanup
UK in conjunction with the Campaign to Protect
Rural England (CPRE) that is designed to unite volunteer
litter collectors to share ideas and best practice with other
volunteer groups around the UK, for more information follow the
link http://www.litteraction.org.uk/
Last September, Keep Britain
Tidy launched Englands first ever 'Big Tidy
Up' visit http://www.thebigtidyup.org/ for
more information.
Educational
work
The Environmental Education Officer co-ordinates and runs
educational programmes with schools across the
borough.
The programmes aim to raise awareness of the importance of
recycling, composting and reducing domestic waste, as well as
looking after the environment and keeping the borough clean and
tidy.
The council's very own environmental superhero, Captain Clean,
helps out when he can, encouraging children to think about their
actions and not drop litter.
Over the last two years, primary schools have taken part in a
litter sign competiton, with the winners having their design
mounted onto a metal weatherproof sign and put up in their
playground. So far 9 schools have won signs for their schools,
so that they can display their anti-litter message to
all.
If you or your school are interested in taking part in a
programme, contact Alison Sollis on 01622 602281.
Recycling roadshows
You will see our reycling team out and about at events and
locations, such as local supermarkets, giving advice on waste
minimisation and our reycling services.
Look out for the bright orange banner!
Operation Lasso
Maidstone Borough Council Regularly
runs operations to crack down on fly tipping, targeting potential
illegal waste carriers by stopping and checking
vehicles.
Clean Kent Campaign
Maidstone Borough Council works with Kent County Council and
other partners to support the Clean Kent campaign, which aims
to improve our environment by reducing litter and fly tipping.