Capital Cleans Up Its Act For 2012
08 March 2007
Steps are being taken to get rid of the rubbish lining the streets of London in a continuous attempt to make the place tidier and cleaner ready for the Olympic Games.
To make London more attractive the campaign that is being launched in Southwark wants half a million Londoners to volunteer to clean up the streets, parks and Thames. Not only are the urban parts of London having attention paid to them but also work will be done on renewing wildlife habitats.
London's leading waterways charity Thames21 and volunteers will be removing litter from the foreshore, and starting a collection of waste into the vessel of the Driftwood boat which is set to be docking in the Thames as part of this fantastic campaign. Once all this unwanted rubbish has been trapped in the litter catching net it will be sailing on its journey leaving behind a clean and tidy area.
(For more detail of other events taking place and picture opportunities please see end of release)
It is estimated 7.5 million reside in London and it attracts many visitors each year, and this campaign, dubbed 'Capital Clean-up', will help create a longer term interest and push the grime out of London and sell the Capital to the world.
Capital Clean-up has been organised by Capital Standards (a partnership between 28 London local authorities) and over 25 other organisations related to tackling the clean up of London. These consist of London Wildlife Trust, Business in the Community, Love London, Thames 21 and many more.
Capital Clean-up will put London at the forefront of raising awareness of regeneration linked initiatives and tackling anti-social behaviour. In addition the campaign will meet objectives for tackling graffiti and litter as set out in the government report 'London's Challenge for 2012"..
Events will be organised ensuring the greener spectrum is maximised preparing it for the Olympics and will highlight the impact of fly-tipping, litter, graffiti, fly-posting and nuisance vehicles all over London.
The cleanliness of the streets are one of the first things people notice when they go to a new place that's why with the run up to the Olympics there really needs to be great consideration to cleaner safer greener issues. Hence ensuring that the streets are maintained to a high standard, people are educated not to drop litter, parks and other public places are spruced up and kept tidy and that steps are taken to reduce the problems of anti-social behaviour. During the Olympics London will be in the global spotlight, we can't afford for it to be smeared with dirt
The ambitious programme is being backed by Keep Britain Tidy and the Metropolitan Police. It is hoped that recruiting local volunteers will encourage ongoing community involvement that will further improve the initiative.
Kevin Golding-Williams, Manager of Capital Standards says: "There has been a real sense of community involvement by the people of London, who are showing their support to keep their city a clean and tidy place.
"These initiatives are not only getting the community involved but also are giving back to the community by promising a clean environment to live within."
LAUNCH DETAILS
Fantastic photo opportunity of Thames 21 volunteers cleaning up and disposing rubbish into the Driftwood vessel plus interviews with spokespeople from Capital Clean-up will take place on:
Thursday 8th March 2007
At 10:30am outside Tate Modern