Preston KFC team members take part in Great British Spring Clean

KFC team members from across the area, including restaurants in Deepdale, Fishergate, and Leyland Road, contributed to approximately 2,000 bags of litter collected across the North West on the day.

KFC workers from restaurants in Preston took part in a group litter pick (Image: KFC)

A supporting partner of the Great British Spring Clean, KFC made its biggest pledge yet to support thousands of litter-pickers to help clean up local communities.

Litter-pickers in Preston and across the country can apply to a voucher scheme being offered in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, which can be exchanged for free litter-picking equipment.

KFC has also outlined a package of measurements and commitments, which represent a joint effort between businesses, communities, and local authorities to tackle the nation’s litter crisis.

Meghan Farren (left), KFC managing director UK and Ireland, taking part in the litter pick (Image: KFC)

These initiatives include:

• New bin trials – specially designed five-stream recycling points to encourage KFC customers to recycle their drink cups, liquids, paper, food, and any other waste separately after finishing their meal, piloting in Manchester in partnership with Biffa, with ambitions to roll this out to KFC restaurants across the UK
• Behaviour change campaigns – partnering with local councils across the UK to trial new ways to tackle littering, such as testing localised anti-littering marketing messages and the creation of new concept rubbish bins
• Daily litter picking – KFC’s 1,000 restaurant teams undertake daily litter picks to clean up the streets around their restaurants
• Litter-comms – A dedicated KFC mailbox allowing communities to directly report any litter problems around restaurants to KFC so the business can act promptly to tidy up
• Training initiatives for KFC’s 28,000 team members to increase their knowledge of the environmental impact of litter
• Anti-littering marketing messages, like #Don’tBeATosser, used across KFC restaurants including window and drive-thru signage, in-restaurant audio and menu board displays to encourage responsible behaviour

Antony Cookson, Operations Area Coach said: “As the weather warms up and we all enjoy more time outside, the eyesore of litter in our local communities is more noticeable than ever. So, what better time to launch our latest litter commitments than during the Great British Spring Clean.

“But tidying up our local area isn’t just a one-off event. We take our responsibility to tackling litter seriously and want to be part of the longer-term solution. That’s why we’re looking forward to funding local litter picking groups up with our new fund and working closely with the local council and the wider community to explore ways to keep Preston tidy.”

Promotional banner for KFC's Don't Be a Tosser Campaign (Image: KFC)

Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy, said:  “We are delighted that KFC has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy for a third year to support the Great British Spring Clean and see the benefits of a business absolutely dedicated to making a practical, tangible difference to litter in the communities they serve.

“KFC is hungry to find new ways to tackle litter and so this spring, in partnership with KFC, we are pleased to announce the roll out of a brand-new scheme which offers vouchers for litter-picking equipment to local #LitterHeroes. We work closely with volunteer groups and individuals, many of whom have warmly welcomed the scheme which will support them in getting the resources they need to carry on doing the work of the angels.

“This partnership demonstrates what a business can do when they engage with – and listen to – those who care about litter”.