This year’s Big Tidy Up will take place tomorrow Saturday March 22nd.
Douglas Borough Council, the event’s originator and organising body, is urging local businesses, schools, volunteer groups and private individuals to get behind the campaign by the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Carol Malarkey, Council members, officers and staff to target litter hot spots around the town.
Council leader Councillor David Christian said: ‘This will be the fourth Big Tidy Up the Council has led and every year we are encouraged by the number of people - in particular, the younger generation - who demonstrate their support and last year helped us collect more than 1.9 tonnes of litter.
‘The Council’s street cleaning teams do tremendous work but litter is a community problem that demands a community response. The Big Tidy Up provides an opportunity to target those areas which cannot ordinarily be accessed easily by our cleansing operatives, places such as back lanes, alleyways and footpaths where some irresponsible members of the public choose to leave their litter.’
Chair of the environmental services advisory committee Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘The Council is pleased to be leading once again in this campaign that is as much about ridding our streets of litter as it is about encouraging civic pride. Our cleansing teams perform sterling service year round but we all have a part to play in helping raise environmental standards in our town. The Big Tidy Up is a powerful means to focus attention on litter and, while the campaign may be just for one weekend, it is to be hoped the awareness it raises will stay in people’s minds long after that.’
Councillor Christian added: ‘At a time when trading conditions are difficult it’s important the town presents a positive image, not one compromised by litter-strewn streets. The Big Tidy Up can make a very real difference, bringing the Douglas community together with the Council to work towards achieving our shared vision for a cleaner capital.’
The Council will provide hi-visibility tabards, gloves, bin bags and litter picker grabs and remove litter collected.
A typical clean-up will last approximately one to two hours.
Certificates will be awarded to participating organisations and schools.
For more details and to submit details of identified litter hotspots contact event co-ordinator Peter Macken, 696450, pmacken@douglas.gov.im.
Photo - A scene from a previous Big Tidy Up. Council leader Councillor David Christian is pictured third from right, back row. Picture Andrew Barton Photography.
