A team of cross-party councillors teamed up with local KFC to pick up bags of litter left strewn around the service station near Aycliffe Business Park this week.
Following the bank holiday, team members at KFC Newton Aycliffe took to the streets and the local areas surrounding the restaurant to do a litter pick on Tuesday (1 June) to mark both the launch of the Great British Spring Clean and KFC’s newest commitments to tackling litter.
Team members were joined by Durham County Labour councillors Jim Atkinson and Eddy Adam and Lib Dem councillor Nev Jones on the pick as they also discussed the range of initiatives that KFC will be implementing.
This includes the launch of a new consultation with local councils initially in five regions across England to roll out targeted, pilot programmes around alternative solutions to tackling litter and increasing local investment in addressing the problem.
With people spending more time closer to home in the past year, the impact of litter across high streets, retail sites, parks and other green spaces in North-East has become an ever-increasing problem for local councils, businesses, and local communities.
As part of these new initiatives, a dedicated mailbox has also been set up to answer issues and queries related to litter in North-East which will provide the local community with direct access there and then to deal with ongoing litter problems around KFC restaurants.
In addition, KFC is also introducing internal training for its 28,000 team members to increase their knowledge of the environmental impact of litter.
Brian Evans, KFC regional manager for Euro Garages said: “The day after Bank Holiday always leaves one big litter hangover, so what better way to launch our latest litter pledge than getting outdoors and joining the Great British Spring Clean to tidy local spaces.
“We’ve always taken the issue of litter seriously, but, from today, we are going further on our commitments to tackling litter in Newton Aycliffe.
“We want to be part of the longer-term solution, and that’s why we’re looking forward to working closely with Durham County Council and the wider community to explore ways to keep spaces tidy in North-East.”
Cllr Adam said: “We are delighted that KFC is taking action to address a litter problem in Newton Aycliffe with the launch of these latest initiatives.
“It is essential that all groups and organisations in the local community work together to address this issue, we are looking forward to seeing KFC taking positive action and demonstrating their commitment to keep our local area free from litter.”
Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of leading UK litter charity Keep Britain Tidy, added: “In the past year our outdoor spaces have mattered to us more than ever before, which is why we welcome KFC’s commitment to doing more to clear litter from our streets and local spaces.
“What is good for our environment, is good for our mental and physical health too, so we’re looking forward to seeing KFC join our Great British Spring Clean campaign, to make sure everyone can enjoy local spaces around them, and we hope this is just the beginning of their commitment to tackling litter.”
For those who want to get in touch with KFC’s litter mailbox to share issues and queries related to litter around KFC restaurants, please contact: [email protected]
