We all know how beautiful the British countryside can be – but all too often a near-perfect view is spoilt by a carrier bag or crisp packet floating gently on the breeze.

Not only does it provide a blot on Britain’s landscape, litter can also be dangerous for wildlife, causing injury or spreading disease.

Simply put, litter has become the bane of the countryside – which is why CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) has launched a new campaign aimed at stamping it out.

Named ‘Stop the Drop’, CPRE’s litter campaign aims to encourage local clean-up groups as well as educating the general public as to the UK’s growing litter problem.

The cause is being championed by CPRE president and author Bill Bryson.

Getting involved with CPRE’s litter campaign

There are a number of ways in which you can express your support for, and get involved with, CPRE’s Stop the Drop litter campaign:

Report a problem

Via the CPRE website you can quickly and efficiently notify your local council of a litter or fly-tipping problem in your area. 

The organisation has pre-prepared an online letter which can be edited and personalised before emailing to your local authority.

Join LitterAction

LitterAction forms a crucial part of the CPRE’s latest litter campaign. It aims to get people physically involved in keeping their communities free of litter.

Through the LitterAction website (www.litteraction.org.uk), you are able to find local groups of litter-pickers and join their cause. If there’s not one nearby, the site will help you set up your own group.

In joining or setting up a group, you’re not only helping your community but meeting like-minded people and getting to know your neighbours. You’ll also be out enjoying fresh countryside air and getting some exercise into the bargain.

Via the LitterAction website you’ll be able to inform others of your progress – to date, a staggering 23,000 bags of rubbish have been collected.

Other ways to show support

Even if you don’t have the time or capability to go out picking litter yourself, you can still help to make a difference.

CPRE have developed a Stop the Drop e-newsletter with the intention of showing governmental authorities just how many people are behind their litter campaign. You can pledge your support by signing up here http://www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/stop-the-drop.

Even by signing up as a member of CPRE, you’re helping the organisation fund the ongoing campaign – while donations can be made on a regular or one-off basis.