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Reducing litter and recycling

Drinks containers collected at litter pick
Drinks containers collected at litter pick

Litter spoils our enjoyment of the countryside and can be harmful for wildlife and people. We’re working towards a litter-free countryside for everyone.

We run projects, activities and campaigns all across the country to reduce litter, working with local partners and empowering communities to clean and celebrate their much-loved landscapes. Join us in making our countryside healthy, clean and tranquil.

Here in Dorset, Dorset CPRE has been involved in litter campaigning since Paul Goldman, from East Orchard in North Dorset, and Richard Mann, then Dorset CPRE Director, convened the first meeting of the Rural Litter Initiative in September 2003. The title of the Group was soon changed to Dorset Campaign Against Litter (DCAL). The campaign merged with the Litter Free Dorset (LFD), launched in March 2017.

Litter Free Dorset

Litter Free Dorset – Land, Coast and Sea campaign to reduce litter and waste as well as improve water quality across Dorset. We can all help to keep our streets, towns and beaches clean from litter and safe for everyone.

If you are interested in making a difference to your local environment, LFD support a range of community and volunteer groups across Dorset who organise regular litter picking and beach cleaning activities in their local areas.

Join a group near you

Deposit Return Scheme

In 2010 CPRE started campaigning for a deposit return system, where a small deposit would be applied on any drinks container, which is then refunded when it is returned for recycling.

In March 2018, the government promised to ‘introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS) in England for single use drinks containers, subject to consultation.’ CPRE believe that there are many within the drinks, retail and packaging industries attempting to dilute the system and limit the type and size of containers that will be included. CPRE are clear that the most effective deposit scheme will collect cans, bottles and cartons of all sizes and materials. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England has faced delays, and it is now more likely to be introduced in 2027 rather than the previously planned date of 2025.