Winning runs in the family
15th December 2006
Brother and sister Izzy (seven years) and Max (ten years) from Minster Primary School, are being awarded prizes today for winning an anti-litter poster competition.
At the last assembly of term the children will be handed their prizes by Steve Taylor, Kent County Council Community Warden who ran the anti-litter poster competition at the School, Steve says:
Izzy cleverly came up with the sloganBin it, Don't fling it.
Afterwards the posters will become the centre piece of a collage that will be displayed at the public library in Minster. The aim of the competition is to show the public young persons perspective in the village about litter.
The winners were selected by the Eco-School Committee which comprises of both members of staff and school children.
This initiative is supported by the Clean Kent Campaign who provided certificates for the winners and anti-litter pledge bookmarks for the rest of the school. Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member - Environment, Highways & Waste, Kent County Council commented:
Encouraging young people to contribute in a positive way to their local community is extremely valuable, we hope this initiative will inform adults and children alike of the importance in keeping their streets clean and tidy.
The competition follows up lasts year's poster competition which aimed to tackle dog mess in the village. The posters were displayed around the village in shops and on noticeboards.
Free Bacon Butty In Exchange For Legal Advice
15th November 2006
Free bacon butties are to be given out by the Environment Agency at Wicks Extra in St Peters Street, Maidstone today. In exchange they are offering to educate tradesmen about their responsibilities as waste carriers to make sure they are operating their businesses legally.
Environment Officer Hazel Smith organised the event, she said:
In small organisations - time is money - so people can't use work hours to attend seminars and workshops, it would mean losing a day's trade. We thought we'd overcome this by coming directly to them and what better way than to set up shop in a builders yard!
This initiative is supported by the Clean Kent Campaign, campaign co-ordiantor Melanie Price commented:
If we can educate people on their responsibilities as waste carriers we will hopefully diminish illegal waste activities such as flytipping.
Also supporting the event are Maidstone Borough Council, councillor and cabinet member Mrs Daphne Parvin and her husband councillor Peter Parvin will be at the Breakfast van to chat to tradesmen during the morning.
The last event was run in September this year in the Builder's Centre, Thames Way, Gravesend and was a success with over 40 businesses targeted. Further events are planned for early next year.
The public have a duty of care when hiring contractors (such as builders, landscape gardeners or scrap-metal merchants) who remove to ensure they are registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier. Ask your contractor if they are a registered waste carrier and for their waste carrier registration number.
Anyone who has questions or queries on duty of care, waste disposal, registered waste carrier requirements or wants to check a waste carriers registration should contact 08708 506 506 or go online.
Primary school children set an example to their community
14th November 2006
Seven and eight year olds from Mundella Primary School in Folkestone are helping their local community by picking up litter in the streets around their school today.
The project is supported by Harbour Community Church and the charity What For, who go into schools to teach young people about giving something back to their communities.
Thirty two children will be given a briefing on how to collect litter safely, before leaving the school in the afternoon with their form teacher, Julie Hodge, a representative from Harbour Community Church and some parents.
This initiative is supported by the Clean Kent Campaign who provided the cleaning equipment and assist with the disposed of the rubbish, campaign co-ordiantor Melanie Price says:
Encouraging young people to contribute in a positive way for their local community is extremely valuable, we hope this initiative will inform these children of the importance in keeping their streets clean and tidy.
Swale Clamps Down
9th November 2006
Working with Kent Police, the DVLA, and KCC, Swale's street wardens targeted motorists throughout Sittingbourne in a joint initiative dubbed Operation Cubit.
Police used an automatic number plate reader to target vehicles without valid tax and pull them over and drivers without tax for their vehicle were given the opportunity to pay a fine, or the vehicle was seized and transported away to a secure compound.
Vehicles which had been reported to the council by members of the public were also targeted and removed. In total 44 vehicles were caught with no tax.
Swale's street wardens also issued notices to drivers carrying controlled waste on the highway requiring them to present documentation showing they were licensed to do so. Fixed penalty notices of £300 each were issued to drivers of vehicles who have failed to produce their current waste carrier licences.
Alister Andrews, Environmental Response Manager for Swale Borough Council, said:
We are delighted with the success of this operation. By working closely in partnership with our colleagues at the Police, DVLA, and Kent County Council we have managed to catch a significant number of motorists who have failed to tax their vehicles. We have also caught people transporting controlled waste on the highway who have failed to register as waste carriers with the Environment Agency.
By using all of the powers available to us, we can continue to target likely offenders of anti-social behaviour such as fly tipping. Operations like these go a long way towards our local, and countywide objectives of creating a cleaner Kent.
Fly-tipping Clean-up in Bredhurst's Ancient Woods
8th November 2006
Bredhurst woods saw a second clean-up operation at the weekend to remove flytipping rubbish from the beautiful 600 acre woods by the Bredhurst Woods Action Group.
Over 30 volunteers rallied around to remove rubbish such as old tyres that people had dumped. The project was supported by Bredhurst Parish Council and the Clean Kent Campaign.
Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member - Environment, Highways & Waste, Kent County Council commented:
Flytipping is an anti-social behaviour and a blight on Kent's landscape, so it's great to see communities taking pride in their local environment by carrying out clean-ups in their local area like this.
The clean-up aimed to continue the good work that was carried out at the original clean-up day which took place back in April, during which over 100 tonnes of rubbish, including tyres, builders' debris and an Abbey National cashpoint machine were recovered.
This community initiative started with just six volunteers but now has over 200 members. For more information about the Bredhurst Woods Action Group visit the groups website or log onto the Clean Kent website to see how you can get involved in volunteering.
The Great River Rubbish Roundup
2nd November 2006
Over 150 canoeists and walkers took part in the annual Great River Rubbish Roundup along the River Medway navigation between Maidstone and Tonbridge at the weekend.
Several tonnes of rubbish was collected along the way with great support and enthusiasm from river user groups such as the the Maidstone Canoe Club, who set off from the Archbishops Palace along with various other clubs and individuals who provided invaluable support.
The event was organised by Medway Valley Country Partnership supported by the Clean Kent Campaign who provided equipment. The event was sponsored by Kent Enviropower Ltd and supported by Maidstone Borough Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council who disposed of the collected rubbish.
Keith Ferrin said:
This was the third year of river long clean ups. It's great to see communities coming together to take action on litter in their local environment.
Cleaning up Kent's act
10th October 2006
The Highway's Agency is asking drivers to Bag it and Bin it
whilst travelling on the motorways and trunk roads of Kent.
As part of the ongoing Clean Kent Campaign led by Kent County Council to keep the county's roads free of litter, car litter bags, made from environmentally friendly paper are being distributed to help combat the problem.
Throughout July 2006, the Campaign went on the road, hosting 13 public litter exhibitions at key locations across Kent, visiting service stations, shopping centres and even dropping in at the Kent County Show. At these exhibitions 25,000 litterbags and 5,000 public litter surveys were distributed to members of the public.
Melanie Price, Clean Kent Coordinator said:
As well as littering being an anti-social offence, littering on the roads can be dangerous and result in accidents to other road users. Working together with the Highways Agency we hope that we can encourage car users to dispose of their rubbish in the right way.
So don't rubbish the campaign to keep Kent's roads free of litter-use the enclosed litterbag to Bag it and Bin it!
The key message for road users is please dispose of your litter responsibly, Bag it and Bin it!
and lets make Kent's roads
clean and litter free.
Clampdown on Flytippers
27th September 2006
Swale Borough Council has been out in force clamping down on flytippers.
The council's Environmental Response Team and street wardens visited Marine Town in Sheerness where they found over 30 lots of rubbish dumped, mainly in alleyways.
In some cases the culprits could be identified from the waste dumped and were given on-the-spot fines of £80.
Environmental Response Manager Alister Andrews said:
We will not tolerate flytipping anywhere in the borough and people have to learn to act responsibly.
Much of the dumped rubbish was in alleyways and people should expect to be fined or taken to court.
The £80 Fixed Penalty Notice gives the offender an opportunity to pay a fine rather than face court action. Failure to pay these notices within 14 days of issue will result in further enforcement action, and potential fines in court of up to £2500.
The council's Environmental Response Team tackles a variety of environmental crimes throughout Swale, and works closely in partnership with other agencies.
Mr Andrews said:
We will use all of the powers available to us in order to catch flytippers and to create a cleaner, safer environment.
Residents need to be responsible and should only put their waste out in the allocated areas, at the right times for collection. Waste will not be collected routinely from alleyways, and anyone found depositing waste in alleys will face enforcement action.
Wheelie bins may only be put out after 5pm on the evening before collection, and must be taken in before midnight on the day of collection. Any bins left out after this time will be removed.
Anyone wishing to report any information regarding flytippers or flytipping should contact Swale Borough Council's Customer Service Centre on 01795 417850.
Residents feel Kent is a clean County to live in
18th September 2006
A recent poll has highlighted how Kent residents feel about the cleanliness of their County with an overwhelming 67% of those polled stating they feel Kent is clean place to live and work.
The Clean Kent Campaign, which is a multi-agency initiative that tackle the problems of littering and flytipping across Kent, has been in action for the past two years encouraging residents and businesses to take pride in the beautiful Kent county.
Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste said:
It is very gratifying to know that the people of Kent value what we are doing to keep our garden of England clean and that with our partners in the Clean Kent Campaign we are making a difference.
The poll took place at this year's Kent County Show using an innovative method of gathering opinions by way
of a Ping Pong Poll. Visitors to the stand were asked the question: Do you think Kent is a clean
County?
In order to answer the question, those taking part used a litter picker to post a ping pong ball
into a giant tube marked Yes
and No
.
Those who took part in the poll were invited to leave their details for entry into a prize draw to win family tickets to Leeds Castle, Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks or Farming World.
The Clean Kent Campaign would like to thank Leeds Castle, Port Lympe Wild Animal Parks and Farming World for the donation of family tickets.
Dover Community Safety Day
16th August 2006
Dover Community Safety Day is being held at Pencester Gardens, Dover on Sunday 17th September 2006 between 10am and 4pm.
The Clean Kent Campaign will be at the event giving Dover residents the chance to have their say with a ping pong poll asking if they think their local area is clean. Those who take part in the poll will be entered into a prize draw to win family tickets to top Kent attractions. There will be something to do for all the family including a litter trail competition with prizes for the winning teams.
Visitors will also be able to find out about how they can get involved with looking after their local area and useful advice and information will be on hand with demonstrations from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police, Network Rail, Community Wardens and Dover Council.
East Kent has a Clean Kent
Flying Squad too!
22nd June 2006
The East Kent Clean Kent Flying Squad is launched
The East Kent Clean Kent Flying Squad in action
Clean Kent Flying Squads take off in West Kent
22nd June 2006
The Clean Kent Flying Squads take off this week in west Kent. The rapid response teams, jointly funded by Kent County Council, the 12 district and borough councils and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, will work around the west Kent area cleaning littered and graffitied grot spots. The team will also clear areas suffering from incidents of flytipping and recover any evidence which may lead to a prosecution.
The teams help to extend the existing services provided by districts councils, focusing on key hotspot areas to reduce rubbish fires and operate on a rapid response basis. Kent Probation Area, who is a key partner in the initiative, will be providing additional labour force to help clean up as part of their Community Payback Scheme.
The Clean Kent Campaign is keen to involve residents with knowledge of local areas by encouraging them to nominate areas for cleaning via the Clean Kent website or by calling 0845 345 0210.
Richard Wilson, Head of Environmental and Operational Service from Sevenoaks District Council said:
The Clean Kent teams provide an additional tool to districts to help keep Kent cleaner in order to provide a county, that can be enjoyed by people who live, work and visit Kent.
The west Kent crew, which will cover Sevenoaks, Gravesham, Tunbridge Wells and Dartford, are one of three Flying Squads that will operate across Kent with east Kent already in operation and mid-Kent due to launch soon.
This week the west Kent crew has been busy working in Sevenoaks; cleaning up areas of Swanley, Eynsford and Sevenoaks.
The Highways Agency and the Clean Kent Campaign to fight litter on Kent roads
8th June 2006
The Highways Agency, the Clean Kent Campaign, Kent County Council and the 12 borough and district councils have today launched its campaign to fight the problem of litter on roads in Kent.
The campaign, which aims to inform residents and visitors to Kent of the fines involved with littering (up to £80) and to encourage people to bag and bin car litter, is being rolled out across Kent using a liveried artic lorry, a billboard advertising van, billboard sites; including a site at the Port of Dover to target freight users and travellers, washroom posters, radio advertising and 25,000 litterbags which will be available at key locations including service stations and shopping centres.
Today, at Maidstone Services on the M20, a team from the Highways Agency and the district councils will be handing out the car litterbags to encourage drivers to take their rubbish home with them.
Highways Agency spokesman, Simon Duke, said:
Litter on our roads is turning into a major problem. The faster we clean it up, the more is dropped.
We are asking motorists to collect a bag and use it to store their rubbish until they get to their destination and keep our roads clean.
Stowting Wombles clean-up their community
5th June 2006
Residents from the village of Stowting recently teamed together to tidy areas of the village that had been spoilt by rubbish dumped by litter bugs and fly-tippers.
The 20 villagers, who had a Stowting Womble
theme, cleared over a tonne of rubbish ranging from drink cans to bed mattresses
from the parish lanes and hedgerows.
Pete Raine, Managing Director, Environment & Regeneration from Kent County Council who took part in the event said:
It's really important for communities to get involved with litter picks in their local area. Clean-ups like these improve our environment and our quality of life.
The Clean Kent Campaign and Ashford Borough Council provided plastic sacks, high visibility vests and protective gloves, and Ashford Borough Council arranged for the refuse to be collected. Hot drinks and buns were provided by the landlady of The Tiger pub and all contributions received for the refreshments were put toward the restoration fund for the village hall.
Richard Stafford, a resident of Stowting who organised the event said:
The clean-up was a massive success in not only clearing the village of the unsightly mess, but also in bringing the village together for some fun in the fresh air.
Great Chart Primary School wins Litter Sleuth 2006 competition
23rd May 2006
Great Chart Primary School, Ashford beat over 80 other schools in Kent to win the title of Litter Sleuth 2006. The competition, organised and funded by the Clean Kent Campaign and Kent Eco-Schools Project, invited schools to carry out litter picks and take part in litter related educational activities in order to help create a litter free environment.
To win, pupils from Great Chart Primary created a mural made from waste materials, designed and made their own
litter bin, produced litter grot spot
and hot spot
placards, used to highlight the littered and clean areas
of Ashford and even wrote a rap song all about litter!
Prizes were presented at County Hall by Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste who said:
It's great to see so many school children across Kent carrying out litter picks and engaging with current environmental issues.
Prizes included trophies, a Henry the Hippo
litter bin, as well as litter pickers.
South Avenue Infant School, Sittingbourne were runners up with Highly Commended being awarded to Hever CEP School, Edenbridge and Temple Ewell CEP School, Dover.
-
Entries were judged on the following four criteria:
- originality of the entry;
- presentation of the entry;
- participation throughout the school and the wider community;
- and links to the curriculum.
Offenders improve Kent as part of National Clean-up Week
10th April 2006
Kent Probation Area in partnership with the Clean Kent Campaign took part in Clean Up Week 2006 (3rd - 7th April), a nationwide initiative giving the public an opportunity to have their say about how offenders pay back the community for their crimes.
Residents used Kent Probation's online nomination form (at www.kentprobation.org) to suggest sites in their areas for clean up by offenders carrying out compulsory unpaid work as part of their sentences.
Kent Probation Area put forward six sites across the County for unpaid work projects to be tackled during Clean Up Week.
Hilary James, Kent Probation Area Chief Officer explained:
Community sentencing already has a hugely positive effect on Kent. In any given week, around 650 offenders - the equivalent of an average-sized prison population - carry out nearly 4,000 hours of unpaid and supervised work for the community.
Besides the benefits to us all of offenders paying back to the community for their crimes, the work that will take place during Clean Up Week provides rigorous and demanding punishment. Unpaid work helps to reduce re-offending, as offenders develop useful skills which can help them lead crime free lives.
Unpaid work, sentenced by the courts for the benefit of the community, has been in operation for over thirty years. All unpaid work projects involve work which the community benefits from for free and would otherwise not be carried out.
Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste comments:
The Clean Kent Campaign and Kent Probation Area are working in partnership under the Community Payback banner. The partnership aims to increase community pride by asking local residents to nominate and come along to clean-up events taking place in their area.
Divers drag rubbish from lakes
7th October 2005
Divers pulled enough rubbish to fill 50 bin bags during an underwater clean-up operation at Leybourne Lakes. The haul included chunks of metal, a gazebo, car parts, beer cans, plastic bottles, disposable barbeques and children's toys. Seventeen divers from Dive Machine, a Tonbridge shop and training centre, carried out the clean-up in the lakes and surrounding areas. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council helped them and the multi-agency Clean Kent campaign co-ordinated by Kent County Council.
Clean Kent encourages community projects like this to tackle the environmental scourge of flytipping. The project partners include KCC, district and borough councils, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Environment Agency. KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Richard King said:
It's great to see groups like Dive Machine taking responsibility for areas which they use regularly. This is an excellent example of how members of the community can make a real difference to their environment and quality of life.
Tonbridge and Malling Council's Environmental Projects Co-ordinator Tamsin Ritchie said:
We want to encourage people to take pride in their local environment by working with schools, community groups and local businesses. It's a good opportunity to make a positive contribution to where they live.
To organise a local clean-up contact the Clean Kent co-ordinator Richard Mead on 0845 345 0210 or Tamsin Ritchie on 01732 876965.
Flytipping can be reported on 0845 345 0210. Alternately, flytipping, littering, graffiti and dog fouling within Tonbridge and Malling can be reported by calling Streetline on 01732 876060.
Rubbish wins at Kent County Show
3rd August 2005
The Clean Kent and War On Waste campaign marquee at the recent Kent County Show was presented with Best Large Trade Stand
award. Together with Kent ReMaDe and Kent Eco Schools.
In a prime position within the show ground, the exhibition featuring wide-ranging waste issues saw over 27,000 visitors to the stand during the three-day show. There were opportunities to win iPods, pot a primula, sign an eco-pledge and watch a courtroom drama as a fly-tipper is sentenced to prison!
Sticky Situations!
1st August 2005
Chewing Gum may be good for your teeth, but it's not great for our pavements.
That was the message from Shepway District Council at a recent event in their high street, aimed at encouraging people to bin their gum instead of dropping it on the pavements and roads. Young people were particularly targeted to explain why this is an increasing problem across the UK.
Viv Tucker Smyth and Alison Wood from Shepway District Council wearing litter jackets
As part of the event, people were invited to take the great gum gamble
and place their chewed gum on a board containing
a lucky prize winning square!
In the UK around 20 million people consume more than 935 million packs of chewing gum each year. Most consumers dispose of their gum responsibly, however, other chewers drop gum on the streets leaving behind a sticky mess. This fixes firmly and doesn't degrade over time. These deposits compromise the quality of public spaces in the same way other litter does. As local authorities have a legal duty to remove litter, the cost of chewing gum removal is adding to the street cleansing bill.
Last year in the UK councils spent over £400 million on cleaning our streets and open spaces. Trafalgar Square in London was cleaned in June 2003 at a cost of £8,500. With specialist gum removal equipment needed and long term damage to pavements, councils are encouraging more responsible disposal of gum.
Safer Kent Awards
10th July 2005
The Clean Kent Campaign and Kent County Council are delighted to be able to support the Safer kent Awards through the sponsorship of the Environmental category. These awards are an important way to recognise the vast array of extremly valuable work undertaken by members of Kent's extended policing family.
The Clean Kent team would like to encourage you to nominate appopriate individuals particularly in the area of environmental enforcement and community involvement helping to address the issues of littering and flytipping.
Kent Police Authority launches Safer Kent Awards
8th July 2005
The Kent Police Authority is today launching a new awards scheme to recognise innovation, expertise and outstanding commitment among the people who work to make the county a safer environment for everyone.
The authority has created the Safer Kent Awards
to recognise the contribution of those in the extended policing team
- and to highlight the work of particular individuals who perhaps go above and beyond their everyday duties in terms
of dedication or results.
Some people are employed. Others, such as special constables, are volunteers. All are part of the wider policing family who work for a safer Kent.
If you know someone you think deserves an award, you can draw their work to the attention of a wider audience by nominating them for a Safer Kent Award that, as well as recognising and celebrating their particular contribution, will demonstrate the benefits communities feel.
The new Chair of the Kent Police Authority, Mrs Ann Barnes, said:
Anyone can nominate an individual for a Safer Kent Award. That person could be working with the elderly or with young people, in community safety or improving the environment, in preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour, or demonstrating personal commitment, achievement or innovation in a particular field. Please help us to recognise the hard work of the wider policing team in Kent and nominate someone.
Those eligible for nomination include police community support officers, special constables, Kent County Council community wardens, Medway Council wardens, local authority wardens, wardens of heritage and environmental organisations and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers.
Further details and nomination forms will be available on the Kent Police website from today or you can email to request a nomination pack. Or write to Liz Pott, Kent Police Authority, First Floor, Gail House, Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6NB. You can also telephone 01622 677055 or fax 01622 653999.
Nominations for the Safer Kent Awards close on 2nd September 2005. A panel of judges will select winners who will receive their awards at a ceremony in November.
Clean Sweep for St Nicholas
28th April 2005
More than 60 residents joined a clean-up of their village organised by their local Kent County Council community warden to support the Clean Kent Campaign. Local children and families joined forces to tackle areas blighted by litter in St. Nicholas-at-Wade in Thanet to create a greener and safer village.
Kent Community Warden for St. Nicholas-at-Wade Corinne Eldridge, who attended the clean-up, said:
Everyone had a fantastic day and was full of enthusiasm to help clean up their village. It was encouraging to see people coming together to achieve something positive for their community and make a real difference.
A staggering 50 sacks of rubbish were filled with litter from hedgerows, paths and open spaces, which, with support from Thanet District Council, have been removed to help make St. Nicholas-at-Wade a shining example of the success of community action. Volunteers were rewarded with lunch. There was also childrenıs face painting and a bouncy castle.
KCC Community Action Officer for the Clean Kent Campaign Richard Mead said:
We are delighted to be working in partnership with community wardens and the district council to support local initiatives. Litter and flytipping are antisocial problems which affect everyone and it is vital that action is taken at every opportunity to stamp this out.
The Clean Kent campaign is a multi-agency project managed by Kent County Council in partnership with the district and borough councils, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Environment Agency amongst others. The key aim is to reduce littering and flytipping through robust enforcement activity, education and community involvement. Anyone wishing to report flytipping incidences or to register for a community clean-up information pack should contact KCC on 0845 345 0210.
Barclays Clean Sweep!
21st April 2005
Barclays staff teamed up with the Clean Kent Campaign to remove beach litter from Seasalter, Hythe and Sandgate shores as part of their volunteering programme last weekend. Over 60 people, including residents and parish councillors, helped collect 50 sacks of rubbish from 3 miles of coastline in order to improve these local areas and provide a more enjoyable local amenity.
Richard Mead, Community Action Officer for the Clean Kent Campaign said:
These events are an excellent example of how the community can make a real difference to Kent's environment and quality of life. We are delighted that Barclays is supporting our campaign and it is commendable that such a large company takes an interest in local issues.
Steve Blackwell Area Director for East Kent said:
At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to support this initiative. This is a lovely example of Barclays staff working closely with the residents to achieve something which we hope will make a real and lasting difference.
The Clean Kent campaign is a multi-agency project facilitated by Kent County Council in partnership with the district and borough councils, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Environment Agency amongst others. A key aim is to reduce littering and flytipping through roust enforcement activity, education and community involvement. Anyone wishing to report flytipping incidences, or to register for a community clean-up information pack should contact KCC on 0845 345 0210.
Notes to Editors: In 2004 Barclays global commitment to the community amounted to £31.9 million. As one of the UK's largest corporate community contributors, the bank aims to achieve real and lasting benefit for the community and Barclays, by supporting education, social inclusion, people with disabilities, the arts and the environment.
For further information on the Barclays Community Investment Programme, please email Sue Cullen, Regional Community Officer for the South East or call her on 020 7116 6092
Children can learn All About Litter
18th April 2005
Children can learn All About Litter from a new Kent County Council resource pack. The pack contains many practical activities and ideas linked to the curriculum – like the adventures of Colin the Carrier Bag. It has been produced to raise awareness of litter issues and support environmental education in Kentıs primary schools.
The pack shows children how they and animals could be injured by discarded containers such as metal drink cans and glass bottles, as well as encouraging them to take responsibility within their own school grounds. Teachers are provided with guidance for each activity and additional resources such as websites for further information.
Clean Kent – the countywide anti-litter campaign by KCC, district councils, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency – put together the pack with Kent Eco Schools project, part-funded by the European Union Interreg IIIa programme.
Clean Kent co-ordinator Melanie Price said:
It is vital that children understand why even small items of litter can cause such problems. Through classroom learning they will appreciate the environment and have fun.
Copies of the pack are to be sent to every primary school in Kent free of charge. It is also available online on the Clean Kent Campaign Website. For information about the Clean Kent campaign telephone KCC on 01622 696394.
Children sign up to Clean Kent
28th February 2005
Schools and community groups across Kent are joining the battle against litter louts with Clean Kent.
More than 17,200 children countywide have signed a pledge not to drop litter and 42 schools are organising clean sweeps of their school grounds. At the same time, 77 schools are competing in a litter sleuths competition, writing case studies about their efforts.
Local clean-ups are also being organised by Kent County Council community wardens, through district council initiatives and by Millennium volunteers and church groups as part of a spring clean throughout March. But more volunteers are being urged to come forward.
KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Richard King said:
Clean Kent is making a big push this spring to involve communities and individual people in cleaning-up their locality. Children and schools are setting a wonderful example and I hope as many people as possible, including their parents, will join in the action.
Clean Kent – supported by Kent County Council, district councils, the Environment Agency and others – is providing equipment and special children's packs for schools and information packs for community groups.
For details telephone the helpline, 0845 345 0210.
Children's Roadshow for Clean Kent
13th January 2005
Children across Kent are learning how to tackle litterbugs and flytipping with the Clean Kent roadshow.
Theatre group Circus Takeaway are using magic tricks, juggling skills and lots of fun ideas to put across the serious message – and the children love it.
Clean Kent – supported by Kent County Council, district councils, the Environment Agency and others – is taking the live theatre show to 120 schools around the county as part of its campaign.
KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Richard King, who saw the show this week, said:
It is important that we get the message across to children about flytipping and litter in an appealing way. This drama production is an excellent vehicle for Clean Kent to spread the news about looking after your local environment.
If you see someone deliberately offending, contact your district council or the KCC contact centre on 0845 345 0210.
Press Release: What a lot of Litter!
10th January 2005
- DATE: Wednesday 12 January
- TIME: 10.30am (show starts at 10, ends about 10.40)
- LOCATION: Cheriton Primary School, Church Road, Folkestone
DETAILS: Children in 10 Shepway schools are learning this week how they can help the countywide Clean Kent campaign
to tackle litterbugs and flytipping. Theatre group Circus Takeaway are performing their show What a lot of litter!
to get across serious messages in a fun way with plenty of audience participation, magic tricks, juggling and comedy.
Clean Kent – supported by Kent County Council, Shepway District Council, Kent Police and other agencies – is taking the live theatre show to 120 schools around the county as part of its campaign.
If you see someone flytipping or dropping litter, contact your district council or the 24-hour KCC contact centre on 0845 345 0210.
KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Richard King said:
It is important that we get the message across to children about flytipping and litter in an appealing way. This drama production is an excellent vehicle for Clean Kent to spread the news about looking after your local environment.
Clean up your community
22nd September 2004
Calling all Kent residents - it's time to help clean up your community!
The Clean Kent campaign – launched by Kent County Council, district councils, police, fire service and other agencies in May – is now urging residents and community groups to come together and rid local hotspots of rubbish.
The autumn clean up is the campaign's latest tactic using people power to crackdown on litter louts. Clean Kentıs legal enforcers are also currently pursuing up to 20 possible prosecutions of individual suspects responsible for rubbish dumping.
Thereıs plenty of help available if you want to organise a clean up near you. Kent County Council and district council experts are on hand to offer safety advice, equipment and insurance cover, plus all the information you need. For further details and an information pack contact the Clean Kent helpline on 0845 345 0210 or contact your local district or borough council.
KCC Lead Member for the Environment and Transport Paulina Stockell said:
Residents often know where the worst trouble spots are. It would be good to tackle them before the winter. The county council and district councils are together providing all the necessary back-up for clean up operations to happen.
The Clean Kent roadshow is currently touring various locations in Kent offering information and advice. The campaign has also arranged a special stage show to raise children's awareness during a schools tour starting in November.
Kent joins forces to clean up county
21st May 2004
The biggest ever campaign to clean up Kent and declare war on litterlouts and fly tippers was launched today at County Hall.
Kent County Council, backed by the police, magistrates, district and parish councils, the environment agency and many others aim to put the sparkle back into Kentıs country lanes and town streets.
A major campaign targeting the fly tippers and litterlouts who make life such a misery for law abiding residents is now under way. The campaign – The Great Kent Clean-Up – wants to utilise every weapon at its disposal including the police, magistrates, new enforcement officers, the county councilıs community wardens, district councils, but most of all the people of Kent in a big tidy up and bid to stop the eyesores being created.
Council Leader, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, said:
We are launching the Great Kent Clean-Up today. Most of all I would like to thank our partners in the district councils, parishes and voluntary organisations who are at the frontline of cleaning up and tackling graffiti, flytipping and abandoned cars; and the Kent Police, Fire and Magistrates, who are all here today, and who will play an important part in the campaign in bringing in harder enforcement prosecutions, and bigger fines.
Kent is renowned as the Garden of England, with its unique countryside, traditional villages, historic towns and coast, and a priceless environmental heritage which we take pride in and must look after. The campaign is building up with a
spring cleanwith hundreds of local and voluntary groups working from May 21 to 31 followed by on-going initiatives and an autumn clean-up.
All of us must be involved as Kent residents, never dropping or leaving litter, reporting others, and helping clean up the county. We must all help keep Kent an attractive place. Each of us has a stake, each of us must play a part.
People interested in getting a group together to clean up a local eyesore can contact The Great Kent Clean-Up by ringing 01622 605994.
Deputy Chief Constable, Jim Barker-McCardle, told the launch that the cost of anti-social behaviour in Kent had been put at nearly £40million to all the partner agencies concerned.
Waste crime and other visible signs of disorder perpetuated fear of crime and only serve to make things worse. It generates demands on police resources and can lead to entrenched problems of anti-social behaviour. There is also a direct link between abuse of the environment and crime – and for some people flytipping is big business.
Operation Cubit had successfully tackled the problem of unlicensed and abandoned cars in Kent and Medway and the scheme
had been adopted as best practice
by the Home Office. As a result, there had been intervention with over 5,000
vehicles and the number of abandoned vehicles fell by a third.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's Chief Environmental Health Officer, Phil Beddoes, said the cost to his authority alone of tackling litter was £850,000 each year and some districts were introducing fixed penalties for litter dropping.
He said one of the main benefits of this high-profile campaign was that district councils would be able to share best practice. By developing efficient, focused and co-ordinated enforcement through a multi-agency approach, they would be seeking to change people''''''s behaviour.
If you spot someone flytipping, don't approach them, but note the type of vehicle and registration number, what the person looks like, the time and the place and call your local council. If the waste looks hazardous call the Environment Agency's 24hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
