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Launch of new movement to eradicate litter and waste across Wales

We are proud to be working with all local authorities across Wales on our biggest ever initiative to eradicate litter and waste.

Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) aims to inspire people to take action and care for the environment. We’re calling on everyone to take responsibility for the litter and waste they produce in a drive to create a cleaner, safer Wales.

We’re renowned for the work that we do day in day out with our incredible army of volunteers picking up litter; but our new movement will not just focus on cleaning up, it will address stopping litter from happening in the first place. Our vision for Caru Cymru is that it will become second nature for people to do the right thing, from taking litter home and cleaning up after their dog, to recycling ‘on-the-go’, re-using and repairing.

Caru Cymru is not an exclusive club – everyone can join in

Every person in Wales has a part to play in eradicating litter and waste which can cause so much damage to our communities and to our natural environment. I’m proud to be part of an initiative which brings people together, and provides the tools, innovation and support needed to make a positive difference. Caru Cymru is not an exclusive club – everyone can join in.

Lesley Jones
Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy

Litter has a significant and far-reaching impact on communities. When areas are uncared for it makes people feel unsafe, it affects social cohesion, the sense of pride in communities, stifles economic growth and tourism, and spoils people’s enjoyment of nature.  Litter can also cause huge damage to wildlife, green spaces, hedgerows, rivers and oceans.

People in Wales have already proven they care about our country by adopting important recycling habits that now sees us third best in the world for recycling. But there is always more we can do, we must go beyond recycling, and Caru Cymru is about exactly that. Our attitude towards waste needs to stretch beyond not only our homes but to the spaces that make up the villages, towns and cities we live in. By doing so, we can tackle long term litter and waste issues head on and all benefit from a cleaner Wales.

Lesley Griffiths
Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

Show your love for Wales

Caru Cymru’s launch marks the start of a series of projects ranging from large-scale national campaigns to smaller local projects created in conjunction with local authorities, Cardiff University’s behaviour change team and other partners.

Over the coming months, we’ll be trialling a range of new and innovative solutions to tackle roadside, fast-food and marine related litter, improve air quality and eliminate single use plastic.

People across Wales are being encouraged to join the new movement. Visit the Caru Cymru hub for more information.

Caru Cymru has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

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