The Litter Free Dorset Challenge has begun!

In May over the course of a week, 120 participants signed up to the Litter Free Dorset Challenge to take part in cleaning up their local area. Now that June is here, it's time to roll up those sleeves and give Dorset a spruce up.

This Litter Free Dorset Challenge initiative is supported by Queen Mary University of London and co-financed by the Interreg France (Channel) England programme through the Preventing Plastic Pollution project.

Throughout June, the litter heroes of Dorset have pledged to take part in a challenge of their choosing. Alongside the option of creating their own challenge, three challenges were suggested by Litter Free Dorset.

Over two thirds of participants will be taking part in a 10 times challenge, where they litter pick their local area 10 times over the course of June. Other participants opted for the 10 minutes daily challenge. Whilst some litter heroes have signed up to complete a staggering 10-hour challenge, where they litter pick for 10 hours over the course of one day.

By taking part individuals will benefit local wildlife by reducing the impacts of plastic pollution and littered waste as well as have the opportunity to provide data about the amount and types of plastic collected to help inform solutions to tackle plastic pollution long term.

Sophie Colley, from Litter Free Dorset, said: "Taking part in the challenge? Don't forget to take pictures and share your litter finds on social media. Tag in Litter Free Dorset and the Preventing Plastic Pollution project and use the hashtag #LFDChallenge to make sure we don't miss your social posts. Good luck with your challenge."

As part of the challenge, participants can also fundraise or donate money for Litter Free Dorset. Litter Free Dorset is a community campaign to reduce litter across the county hosted by Dorset Council. You can fundraise or donate funds to help it achieve its goals to reduce the social, economic, and environmental impacts of litter. You can donate here

For more information and to follow the challenge, visit litterfreedorset.co.uk or find Litter Free Dorset on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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