Central Otago community groups, schools, businesses, and residents will be getting their hands dirty in September - but for a good cause.
The annual Keep New Zealand Beautiful cleanup week takes place from September 14-20. Cleanup organiser Sue O'Brien said although planning was in the early stages, groups had already registered for the week-long event.
About 20 groups from the community were expected to take part in the event.
Central Otago was ''well represented'' with ''quite a high'' participation rate compared with other places in the country, she said.
''We do get a really good turnout.''
The cleanup week was ''really'' important for the area for residents as well as tourists.
We want tourists to have a ''good impression'' of the area, and we want residents to be proud of our environment because ''it's such a beautiful place''.
Rubbish had been an issue, with people throwing it out of car windows or dumping it in public areas, she said.
''We are disappointed with the amount of rubbish in our streets and walkways.''
Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful and the Central Otago District Council were promoting the event.
The council would pay the costs for registered events at the transfer station to landfill any non-recyclable items.
• People can register their interest or find an event on website www.knzb.org.nz
