Fourteen city centre businesses have taken part in a big litter pick today, to mark the start of the #LoveHullHateLitter campaign – with several more lending their support in other ways.
Volunteers from the businesses gathered in Queens Gardens this morning to don a high-vis jacket, pick up a picker, and get down to some graft, in an effort to help keep Hull clean and encourage others to do the same.
The campaign encourages people to love where you live and take pride in your city, by not dropping litter. This is especially important ahead of next year, when we expect over a million extra visitors to the city as part of the city of culture celebrations.
Rachel from ResQ said: “With the city of culture coming up, it is good that we are able to make some form of difference to the city, no matter how small it is. Litter is a big issue. We are preparing for city of culture in so many ways with events etc, that we also need to make sure it looks nice and presentable.”
#LoveHullHateLitter is also an excellent way to get involved in the community, with volunteering being a rewarding way to tackle local issues, support local people and gain a sense of achievement.
Eskimo Soup – a communications company based in C4DI – has tasked itself with getting involved with the community. And Jenni Harrison came down to the litter pick to practice what they are preaching.
“We are all trying to live healthier lifestyles, by biking to work and going to the gym, and doing things that are better for the environment. This litter pick came at just the right time for us, and I am delighted to be able to get involved.”
It’s everybody’s responsibility to dispose of their litter carefully and fast food outlets know their customers are some of the worst offenders for dropping litter. Claire from McDonald’s arranges regular litter picks by her staff and said: “We always do our own litter picking, so it is good to get involved with the council’s, especially in the city centre.”
The Deep is another business which recognises the importance of keeping streets, gardens and water clear of litter. They do regular beach cleans, using volunteers, with Jenny and Rob swapping the sand for the grass of Queens Gardens. They said: “We get a lot of help with our beach cleans, so it is good that we are able to help other people out too. Marine life have a real issue with plastic, so this follows on nicely from our Project Plastic which we are just setting up.”
Those who drop litter in the city centre may receive a fixed penalty notice of £75 and face prosecution. If convicted, you could be fined up to £2,500.
The last word on this must be reserved for Terry Moore from Burstalls Solicitors, who quipped: “Change your style, litter is vile.” And quite right he is too.
Businesses taking part included: Thearne's Pet Stores, RDS Training, The Deep, Burstalls Solicitors, St Stephen's, Mercure Hull Royal Hotel, Eskimo Soup, ResQ, Princes Quay, McDonald's, CASE Training, Santander and Hull 2017.
