Leeds City Council proud to support World Cleanup Day

Leeds City Council was proud to take part in World Cleanup Day by supporting a community litter pick on the River Aire on Saturday 21 September.

The council joined partners at three locations along the river at the event organised in partnership with Open Source Arts, Greenpeace, Peter Duffy Ltd, Team Kirkstall and Friends of Burley Mills and St Ann’s Woods and Wildlife.

The teams worked to clear rubbish from the rivers, its banks and neighbouring hedgerows at Armley Mills, Redcote Lane and Burley Mills Woods.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council executive member for the environment and active lifestyle, said:

“Thank you to all the residents that helped to clear up the river on World Cleanup Day. Taking part in these community efforts like this is an excellent way to keep active, meet new people and give back to the local community. While the event made a big difference to the river, we can all help keep the whole city clean by responsibly disposing of rubbish, recycling more or reducing our use of single use items all together.”

Philip Marken, Director of Open Source Arts said:

“Open Source Arts were delighted to join in with World Cleanup Day, hosting two cleanups with Flood Risk Management and partners on a beautiful sunny Saturday. Open Source Arts have been hosting river stewardship activities in Leeds since Spring 2016 and this day was another hugely successful effort, enabling us to make the best out of our beautiful blue and green spaces. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this good work.”

A series of future clean-up sessions will be taking place as part of the next phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and ongoing Stewardship programme within Flood Risk Management.

These include the following sessions;

1^st Friday of every month: Thwaites Mill

2^nd Friday of every month: Newlay

3^rd Friday of every month: Whitehall Waterfront

The programme, delivered in partnership with River Stewardship Company and Peter Duffy Ltd, is a crucial element of a natural flood management approach which is aimed at managing flood risk in a natural and sustainable way.

To express an interest in taking part, contact Sarah Emberson at Sarah.emberson@the-rsc.co.uk or 07766 352932.

Notes to editors:

World Cleanup Day is a global movement and is aimed at bringing communities together to clean up the planet’s streets, rivers, forests and beaches. Since its launch in 2008, 20 million volunteers have taken part in events across 157 countries, making it one of the largest global clean ups. For more details visit https://www.worldcleanupday.org/

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: kate.ashman@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 1087