Team members from KFC restaurants across East Ham took to the streets on Tuesday for a group litter pick to mark the Great British Spring Clean, a campaign led by Keep Britain Tidy, the nation’s leading environmental charity.

KFC team members from across the area contributed to the approximately 20,000 bags of litter collected across the UK on the day, along with local councillor and Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, Miraj Patel.

As a Supporting Partner for Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, KFC joins thousands of litter-pickers for this year’s campaign to clean up local communities.

This comes as the latest statistics show that 153 million pieces of litter are estimated to be in England at any one time. In the UK, you are never more than 4 metres away from a piece of litter.

Newham Borough Councillor Miraj Patel, Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“It was great to join KFC for the Great British Spring Clean, pick up some rubbish and hear about what they’re doing to tackle litter. Businesses must work with their communities to address litter and help keep our local areas tidy. I look forward to seeing what KFC has planned and hope to see the business continue to keep our streets clean.”

Waqar Ahmed, Operations Manager at Auriga Holdings, said:
“As the weather warms up and we all enjoy more time outside, the eyesore of litter in our local communities is more noticeable than ever. So, what better time to join a mass litter pick with Great British Spring Clean. We’re pleased to have been joined by local councillor, Miraj Patel to help us tidy up East Ham.
“But tidying up our local area isn’t just a one-off event. We take our responsibility to tackling litter seriously and want to be part of the longer-term solution. That’s why we’re working closely with the local council and the wider community to explore ways to keep East Ham tidy.”

Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy:

“We are delighted that KFC has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy for a fourth year running to support the Great British Spring Clean and see the benefits of a business absolutely dedicated to making a practical, tangible difference to litter in the communities they serve.

“We work closely with volunteer groups and individuals, so we’re delighted to see KFC partnering with local community groups, demonstrating what a business can do when they engage with – and listen to – those who care about litter”.

As well as East Ham, other KFC branches taking part this week included those in Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Durham, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Essex.

This year’s Great British Spring Clean campaign, running from 15 March to 31 March, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses, and councils to make a difference to the environment on the nation’s doorstep.