Communities across Wales joined in droves for Keep Wales Tidy’s Spring Clean Cymru 2022. Nearly 5,000 bags of litter were collected across the country during the campaign, protecting the environment and showing even small acts on your doorstep make a big difference.
Keep Wales Tidy teamed up with every local authority this year. Which saw individuals, households, community groups and businesses join forces, with volunteers asked to pledge to pick up a bag through Keep Wales Tidy’s website.
The Great Big School Clean also took place alongside Spring Clean Cymru, encouraging schools across Wales to get involved. This year saw over 200 schools pledge and take part.
Public events were also held with other partners during this campaign including the Marine Conservation Society, Snowdonia National Park and Dogs Trust.
With 18 volunteers signing up for Snowdonia National Park’s clean-up, over 105 kilos of litter was collected on Snowdon in one day.
Etta Trumper, Volunteer and Well-Being Officer for Snowdonia National Park Authority said:
“We were pleased to take part in the campaign and support the amazing work of Keep Wales Tidy. Spring Clean Cymru was a great opportunity to get out into the hills to clean up any litter before the busy season returns, as litter attracts litter!”
The University of South Wales (USW) also took part in a clean-up of their campus to great success, being the first university to take part. As well as helping to protect the local environment, the litter picking event provided an opportunity for university students to make friends and enjoy being out in nature.
Ajay, a USW student, said:
“It’s been a really good experience. We managed to collect a considerable amount of litter on our way. I encourage other people to take part and I’ll definitely do it again the next time I get the opportunity.”
Not only does litter cost Wales roughly £70 million to remove each year, but it also has devastating effects on our marine and local wildlife. RSPCA Cymru supported the Spring Clean Cymru campaign this year.
RSPCA behaviour change campaigns manager Carrie Stones said:
“Our emergency line is averaging more than 200 calls each year as a result of animals in danger from litter in Wales – and sadly many more are likely to go unseen.
“These problems are so easy to avoid – and that’s why we’re so pleased to team up with Keep Wales Tidy to promote their Spring Clean Cymru.”
To close out the campaign and tying in with ‘Dogs Trust’ A Dogs Trail, a ‘Paws and Pick’ event was held at Bute Park. Volunteers and Keep Wales Tidy staff (including their four legged friends) joined in the clean-up with special guest, BBC Radio Wales’ Behnaz Akhgar, who took part and promoted campaign live on air on Owen Money’s ‘Money for Nothing’ show.
Spring Clean Cymru was again part of the Great British Spring Clean, and nearly 400 clean-ups were held across Wales alone this year.
Spring Clean Cymru is part of Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) – Keep Wales Tidy’s biggest ever initiative to eradicate litter and waste.
