Mansfield District Council is urging everyone to get involved in Environment Week, from 1 to 7 June, from the safety of their own homes and gardens.

The council had been due to hold its annual International Clean Up Mansfield Day on Friday, 5 June, with dozens of litter picks and community clean-ups of grot spots to remove graffiti, paint benches and tidy up public open spaces. The event would have coincided with World Environment Day, on 5 June.

The council had also planned to host an Environment Day Festival in the town centre on Saturday, 6 June, to showcase efforts to provide a Cleaner, Greener Mansfield.

Instead, a week of virtual activities is taking place to encourage people to focus on how to live in a more environmentally friendly way, look at ways to improve their physical and mental wellbeing and show pride in their own piece of the district – their own homes and gardens.

Cllr Andy Burgin, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure, said: “It is a real shame we cannot hold our annual clean-up day at this time but we believe every day should be Environment Day.

“While we consider ways to hold these events at a later date, people can get involved individually now and make changes to their lives which will help improve the environment and tackle global warming.

“Things like climate change can seem like such huge problems that they are insurmountable but if every person does a little bit, our collective actions can add up to a lot.

“Just look at how everyone using their cars less has improved pollution levels. More people are cycling and many have enjoyed discovering nature on new walks around the district, both of which improve the environment and bring health benefits.”

The authority will be sharing lots of useful information throughout this week about how to reduce waste, recycling, composting, energy efficiency, making the most out of food, and sprucing up homes without running the risk of waste being fly tipped.

People will be encouraged to take on the carbon footprint challenge, reduced their plastic waste for a week or make a bird box out of recyclable materials, build a bug hotel with the children or play wildlife explorer bingo.

The council’s parks and green spaces are open for people to enjoy but please take any litter home with you when visiting.

Details about how to be involved will be posted on the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages, using the tag #CleanerGreenerMansfield.