TV's Chris Packham captures the impact of litter on Britain's wildlife
Environmentalist and TV presenter Chris Packham has unveiled a series of images looking at the impact of litter on wildlife and the natural environment to inspire young people to get active and play a lead role in improving their own local environment.
SEE ALSO: CCTV will catch drivers who drop litter from cars
SEE ALSO: This baby orangutan was left to die in a cardboard box
Commissioned by Lidl and Keep Britain Tidy, the photographs provide inspiration for young people to go out and capture their own images of how litter impacts the world around them, as part of a nationwide photography competition to be launched shortly.
The collaboration, led by Keep Britain Tidy, will help engage young people with the aim of encouraging them to reduce litter and waste and get involved in improving their local parks and green spaces. A range of resources will also be developed to support the national Eco-Schools programme, which guides schools on their sustainable journey and helps them educate students about the environment and how they can make a positive difference.
Commenting at the unveiling of the images, Chris said: "People who litter are unwittingly helping to kill and injure the wildlife we all love. As a naturalist, I'm only too aware of mankind's impact on the natural world and litter is one very visible example of this. Not only is it unsightly but it seriously affects wild animals both on land and in our oceans.
"I was delighted to be asked to explore this issue through the camera lens, juxtaposing the inherent beauty of our natural world with the ugliness of the litter and rubbish carelessly discarded each and every day. Through these images I hope to inspire people to dispose of their litter more responsibly and play their part in caring for the fabulously diverse wildlife that enriches us all."
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "We know that the majority of children and young people do care about their environment and don't drop litter. The support of Lidl, through the donation of the proceeds from the single-use bag charge, will help us engage with those young people and create a generation of young people who not only care about their environment but are also equipped to do something to help."
Lidl is committing to donate a minimum of £1 million over a 12-month period, with proceeds from its single-use carrier bags to be split equally between both Keep Britain Tidy and the children and young people's cancer support charity CLIC Sargent, Lidl UK's ongoing partner.
The iconic Lidl carrier bags will also be rebranded for the first time since Lidl entered the UK in 1994.
Lidl UK's CEO Ronny Gottschlich: "We take our environmental responsibility as a grocery retailer very seriously. Despite having always charged for our carrier bags, we acknowledge that there is a lot of work still to be done in achieving our long-term vision of helping to protect the country's stunning natural heritage.
"We are proud to announce this new partnership and hope that the work we'll be doing alongside one another will encourage people to think twice before littering."
