Sign up for the Great British Spring Clean for a cleaner, greener Reading

This spring, we are encouraging everyone to join in with the nationwide ‘Great British Spring Clean’ to help clear litter from our streets, parks and open spaces.

People can pledge as an individual or as a group to take part in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean from 25 March to 10 April.

Our outdoor spaces have proved more important than ever before over the last two years, and that’s why this year the national campaign is encouraging everyone to join the #BigBagChallenge and pledge to pick up as much litter as you can. Pledge to litter pick.

People can get support to litter pick from the Council’s popular Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) programme. RAYS volunteers are provided with litter pickers, 100% recycled plastic bags, gloves and hi-vis jackets. RAYS has options for individuals, community groups, businesses and schools.

This year following requests from residents, we have enhanced our popular RAYS scheme, with a RAYS+ option, for any individuals or groups that want to take their litter picking one step further. RAYS+ volunteers are invited to commit to a group of a minimum of 6 volunteers and/or carry out at least 5 litter picks over a year to qualify. RAYS+ offers larger bags and support for rubbish collection after a pick, with access to a RAYS+ category on Love Clean Reading.

If you have a group of individuals that are committed to a cleaner space or neighbourhood, you can find out more on our web page or contact RAYS@reading.gov.uk .

Coinciding with the Great British Spring Clean, the Council has also re-launched its local anti-littering campaign to encourage residents to ‘Love Your Park’. Over the last 12 months, the council has collected almost 500 tonnes from Reading’s parks – which is the equivalent of 75 Bull elephants or 350 cars!

As part of the local campaign, which originally launched in March 2021, we have added stickers to park bins, alongside poster and banners promoting three easy ways to report full bins, including:

• Report overflowing bins using the 'Love Clean Reading' phone app https://loveclean.reading.gov.uk/reports
• via social media @ReadingCouncil
• Using the QR code on the sticker to access an online form

Although the Great British Spring Clean ends on 10 April, both RAYS runs all year round and ‘Love Your Park’ will extend into the summer months.