The first six in a series of new Love Your Environment (LYE) events have seen 750 bags of litter collected, 500 graffiti tags removed and 100 dumped fridges and 50 tyres taken from city streets.
As an idea developed by Birmingham City Council, the LYE days see teams from various departments join forces with representatives from partner organisations to blitz locations that are known to be ‘hotspots’ for a range of environmental issues.
The first six locations targeted were: Sutton Trinity (Falcon Lodge), Heartlands, Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East/Balsall Heath West (joint event for two wards), Small Heath, Stirchley and Weoley & Selly Oak.
Other items cleared during the days of action include gas cannisters, dishwashers and even a piano at the Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East/Balsall Heath West event. The united effort represents the removal of 57 tonnes of waste from the targeted streets and, as the figures show, the new co-ordinated approach is achieving early success as part of the ongoing response to a long-term key priority for the people of Birmingham – clean streets.
A further 22 wards are set to receive similar LYE blitzes between now and Christmas, with all 69 wards set to be visited in the coming months as part of the new initiative. Future plans also include LYE BID days to assist the Business Improvement Districts in Birmingham, outside of the city centre.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “Our hardworking teams do a fantastic job keep the city as clean as possible – but through these Love Your Environment days we are placing a laser-like focus upon the areas and hotspots where we know there are persistent issues with the street scene. The early results speak for themselves and once we tackle an area it sets an environmental standard for the council, partner organisations and residents in the future. Clearing 750 bags of rubbish, 500 graffiti tags and 100 fridges and 58 tyres in just six sessions show how impressive the effort has been.
“Once residents, businesses and visitors can see what an area looks like when it is clean and green, we hope it will encourage everyone to support the activities of our own staff and play their part in maintaining the new standards established. I thank everyone who has taken part in the events so far and cannot wait to see the results from the other LYE days in the coming months.”
