The Green Heart of Essex is an ambitious campaign to transform the district of Braintree into one of the cleanest and greenest in the country. 

So many people across the district already do so much to look after our district, be it individually or through their parish council, work place, school, college or local groups.  This is our way of applauding that effort and showing our own commitment to ensuring the district is a place that we can all be proud of.

The overwhelming message we have been hearing from local people is that they love living in such a pleasant, rural district and value the countryside around them.  Yet they also want to see more done to keep the district in tip top condition.

The campaign encompasses environmental action such as tree planting, regenerating play areas, improving parks and open spaces.  Central to it is an intensive action plan to clean up the district and keep it clean and tidy.

Over the course of the two years, you will see more of our officers clearing the district, more enforcement against those who continue to add to the problem, more ways to report problem areas in your neighbourhood and more opportunities for everyone to get involved and be part of the Green Heart of Essex.

Why now? With increasing pressure on the public purse we believe that this campaign will go a long way towards tackling the increasing cost of clearing litter from the district.  Everyone will no doubt be shocked to discover that it costs £1 million to clear litter, fly tips, dog fouling, graffiti and other messes caused by people who don’t respect this wonderful part of the county.