A parade of rubbish-collecting good Samaritans will be out in force next month during Clean Up New Zealand Week.
Keep Dunedin Beautiful co-ordinator Ashlea Muston said she hoped Dunedin residents would express their love for the city by taking part in clean-ups.
``Dunedin is a beautiful place to live, but like every city we all have to do our bit to keep litter pollution out of our streets and waterways.''
A beach clean-up would be held at St Kilda on Saturday, September 17, with volunteers to meet at the Surf Life Saving Club at 11am, Ms Muston said.
People could also register their own event on the Keep New Zealand Beautiful website alongside hundreds of others across the country.
``We encourage people to create events in their own neighbourhoods too - these can be as simple as a group of friends heading to the park down the road, or a class trip to the harbour. Lots of workplaces also get involved as a staff challenge each year, which makes it a fun day out.''
Clean Up Week was not just about picking up litter, it is about communities getting out together and taking care of their place.
``It helps remind us how important our environment is and how every pair of hands can make a difference.''
Keep NZ Beautiful chief executive officer Heather Saunderson said last year more than 43,000 ``passionate'' volunteers from more than 100 different parts of the country did their bit to keep their local community beautiful.
``As the leading anti-litter organisation in New Zealand, Keep New Zealand Beautiful is driven to continue to grow this event even further this year.''
Clean Up Week's aim was to increase community participation of all kinds, but it also addresses issues of sustainability, environment, health, crime and social inclusion. The organisers work in partnership with government bodies to deliver on sustainable and environmental initiatives.
Clean Up Week is being held from September 12-18. To register and for more information go to knzb.org.nz/cleanupweek
- David Beck
