Nearly 2000 Londoners are celebrating after taking part in clean up blitzes throughout the city in a bid to change the face of their local environment for good.
The mass volunteering was part of the annual Capital Clean-Up campaign, a major 6 week initiative which concluded this year on World Environment Day (5th June) with a graffiti debate finale event. The 2009 campaign organised over 200 blitzes of litter, graffiti and grime across the whole of London.
Launched in April, the campaign has been effective at addressing the ever increasing problem of litter in the capital by engaging with the community, and encouraging them to take ownership over their local environment.
By using a tactical approach of volunteering and enforcement the campaign has achieved some excellent results which already show that members of the community have collected rubbish equivalent to the weight of 149 adult men, removed 817m2 of graffiti and restored 510m2 of habitat.
Supported by; Capital Standards, Keep Britain Tidy, Government Office for London, London local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, Thames 21, London 21, London Probation and sponsors Veolia Environmental Services, the Capital Clean-Up campaign promotes a long-term strategy to environmental improvements which includes preparations for London 2012.
Rachel Bailey, chair of the Capital Clean-Up campaign said: “The campaign has been an excellent success, as it is the local people of London who have led the way in making an impact in their areas. The response has been unprecedented and well done to all those who took part and made a positive change to their community. We would like to thank our 2009 campaign sponsors, Veolia Environmental Services, for their commitment and support”
Phil Barton chief executive, Keep Britain Tidy said: “By uniting people against litter and encouraging them to take local action, the campaign has achieved real results and embedded a commitment from all around London to continue the good work.”
Some of the clean ups that took place were award winning events including; the conversion of a derelict land site in Tower Hamlets to a local community food growing allotment, a community clean-up event in Ealing involving Safer Neighbourhood teams and the local Muslim association, and a resident association clean-up of community gardens in Lambeth.
Others include Southwark’s education and awareness event involving local school children, and London Borough of Brent’s Grand Union Canal clean-up involving Safer Neighbourhoods, McDonalds restaurants, London Probation, British Waterways and local community volunteers.