23 May 2012
This summer, we're calling on everyone in England to show the world you love where you live by tidying up your community ahead of the Olympic torch relay.
We're urging everyone to get "swept up" in Olympics fever by making sure footpaths, parks and playing fields are litter-free when the torch passes through your local area.
The national summer clean-up, Show the World - is a key part of the Love Where You Live campaign and aims to highlight the importance of making our country litter-free at a time when billions of people around the world will be tuning in to watch the Olympic Games.
TV presenter and Keep Britain Tidy ambassador, Kirstie Allsopp, is giving her backing, saying: "The world will be watching the torch relay so we need to make sure our country is a sight for sore eyes, not an eye sore.The torch relay is an opportunity for local communities to shine a light on the best their area has to offer, so what better way to promote your neighbourhood's best features than by making sure it isn't cluttered with empty crisp packets, cartons and chocolate bar wrappers?"
The relay begins on 19 May and the iconic flame will embark on a 70-day journey through villages, towns and cities across the UK. During that time the public will drop a shameful 140 million pieces of litter on our streets.
Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "Each year it costs council tax payers £885 million to keep our streets clean. If everyone properly disposed of their rubbish instead of tossing it in the gutter, this money could be spent on improving education and healthcare."
Whether you can spare 10 minutes or an hour, every piece of litter you pick up will help us to show the world we care about the communities we live in.
Residents who want to make a difference to their local area can do solo clean-ups or get friends, family and their community involved. To register and order a Big Tidy Up kit, complete with tabards, refuse sacks and limited-edition Show the World wristbands, click here. Orders take approximately five days to be processed so please order today and do your bit before the torch comes to your area.
Show the World you love where you live by registering for your tidy up kits here.