Norfolk Day’s Big Clean Up campaign challenges communities across our beautiful county to become the best-kept town or village champion.
It comes ahead of this year’s Norfolk Day - supported by the EDP, Norwich Evening News, and BBC Radio Norfolk – which takes place every year on July 27.
Details of how to enter your village or town will be announced soon but in the meantime, here are a few ideas and tips to get you started:
1. Respect your environment
Always leave animals where you find them and replace any rocks, fauna, or flora you move. If you dig holes, fill them up again, and finally watch wildlife from a distance, stay quiet, and do not disturb.
2. Beach life
If cleaning up on the beach, do not take too many open shells, like mussels or limpets, and leave closed shells like whelks or periwinkles which are home to hermit crabs.
3. Be involved in a community
Why not become a Beachwatch volunteer and join a beach clean hosted by the Marine Conservation Society? There are hundreds around the country or you can set up your own.
4. Sort out your own rubbish
Put any rubbish you collect in a nearby bin or take it with you and put it in your bin at home. If there are lots, then your district council may be able to help. Ensure that your local tip is equipped to accept the kind of rubbish you’re collecting and remember that commercial waste companies will collect rubbish for a fee. Try to separate rubbish into recyclable and non-recyclable where possible.
5. Location, location, location
Beware of where you are litter picking, for example, stay away from cliffs, soft sand, and slippery rocks. Also, before heading out, think about areas where you’ve seen lots of litter in the past and make a start there. You could always ask around the local community for ideas but remember to obtain permission from the landowner where necessary.
6. Wear the correct equipment
Strong and supportive shoes, thick gloves, and possibly some high-viz if you’re working into the evening.
7. Start a group
Outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people are currently permitted, therefore litter picking activity can take place in groups of up to 30 people as long as existing hygiene and social distancing measures continue to be followed. Anyone with any coronavirus symptoms, or who has been in contact with anyone who has had symptoms, should follow government guidelines and stay at home. Remember to decide on an easily accessible meet-up point, close to where the litter pick is taking place.
8. Make it fun!
This is the best way to encourage more volunteers, as well as making sure you’re having a good time too. To make it even more fun, you could do a sponsored litter pick where the litter-picker with the highest sponsorship wins a prize. Maybe you could enlist the help of a local celebrity? Also, most people will do anything for a cup of tea and a biscuit, so providing refreshments could make the event a success.
9. Think about who can get involved
Local community groups, people who spend a lot of time in nature like photography groups, outdoor sports groups, dog walkers, and basically anyone who takes pride in their community and is able to help can get involved.
10. Publicise an event
If you are organising a group litter pick, then please email the details to donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk with the details of when it is happening.
10. Don't be afraid to ask for help
You don’t need a lot of equipment and your local council may be able to provide you with some, including litter pickers, bin bags, protective gloves, and hand sanitiser. Make sure you have a first aid kit for any accidents.
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This year’s Norfolk Day is sponsored by Richardson’s.
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If you are organising something for Norfolk Day, no matter how big or small, then please tell us about it or share a photo so we can give it some promotion. Email norfolk.day@archant.co.uk, tweet @norfolk or use the hashtag #NorfolkDay, or visit the Norfolk Day Facebook group.
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Find more tips at Keep Britain Tidy and the Marine Conservation Society.
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