“Leave no trace, just good vibes”: new Lake District litter campaign launched
The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has created a special, QR code branded bin bag to tackle irresponsible fly camping.
Rangers from the National Park, as well as teams from the National Trust, Forestry England and Westmorland & Furness Council, have begun handing out the bin liners and engaging with groups found to be camping irresponsibly, giving them the tools to clean up any litter or mess.
The campaign, which aims to encourage visitors to choose official campsites rather than informal camping spots, is being called Rubbish Campsites.
Each bin liner is encapsulated within a colourful sleeve, emblazoned with the words “Leave no trace, just good vibes”.
A QR code printed on the sleeve also links to a directory of over 100 “unreal campsites”, billing them as the ideal alternatives to irresponsible camping on lakeshores.
Steve Gaskell, Head of Rangers for the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “The Lake District is a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy, with stunning scenery, rich cultural and natural heritage and thriving communities. We encourage people to explore the landscape, connect with nature and to help protect the National Park by leaving no trace. As we continue engaging with and educating people it’s great to be able to offer out bin bags which, via a QR code, also signpost to camping guidelines on the LDNPA website, as well as a database on official campsites. These campsites offer incredible landscapes and escapism in the Lake District. This campaign will help people continue to learn about how they can enjoy this special place responsibly.”
Cumbria’s Strategic Visitor Management Group (SVMG) – a partnership of several organisations that oversees a co-ordinated approach in managing visitors to Cumbria – is leading on the Rubbish Campsites campaign.
Another strand of the campaign is asking members of the public to “vote for your favourite fell” this bank holiday weekend (28 to 31 August) by depositing litter in specially branded bins.
Two bins – located at Ullswater Information Centre in Glenridding and Coniston Boating Centre – have been split into two halves, with each half representing a popular mountain.
Locals and tourists alike can vote for their favourite by choosing which side to deposit their litter over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The new bin liner campaign is part of the wider Lake District Kind initiative, which encourages visitors to travel sustainably, respect the environment, stay safe in the fells and leave no trace.
People are reminded that fly camping by lakeshores and in laybys is not allowed, and that fires and barbecues are not permitted within the National Park.
If you are considering wild camping in the Lake District, it is normally tolerated if you adhere to leave no trace principles, camp as unobtrusively as possible above the highest fell wall and stay for one night only.
More information about wild camping in the Lake District can be found on the LDNPA website.
To learn more about how to enjoy the Lake District responsibly, visit our Plan your Visit page.
