Over the last six years, the maker of Lucozade and Ribena, has worked in partnership with a local charity to deliver the #LoveYourForest campaign.

The successful anti-littering and recycling campaign, run by the Forest of Dean's biggest employer, Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) and praised in the UK Government's Litter Strategy for England, has engaged over 15,000 residents and boosted local pride in the Forest of Dean.

Every year, 250 tonnes of rubbish are removed from the Forest of Dean, costing local taxpayers £450,000 per year to clean up.

#LoveYourForest was created by SBF GB&I in partnership with leading environmental charity Hubbub, Forest of Dean District Council, Forestry England, Foresters' Forest, and Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism, to trial creative ways of tackling littering and boosting recycling rates in the Forest. Over 1,500 bags of litter have been collected during the campaign.

During the six-year campaign, LoveYourForest has organised over 120 community events.

Local schools, Scouts and Guides have also been taught the importance of taking responsibility for litter, through educational workshops and community litter picks. The Trashconverter - a converted horsebox turned into a litter-picking machine - has toured the forest enabling locals to exchange litter for treats.

The partnership has also delivered on-the-go recycling infrastructure in the area, including seven recycling bins and two recycle reward machines.

LoveYourForest has also become a blueprint for other local authorities across the country looking to encourage positive behavioural changes around littering and recycling in rural environments. A full inspiration guide has been created, which is freely available for other rural areas to adopt.

Michelle Norman, director of sustainability at SBF GB&I, said: "Over the course of six years, it has been a pleasure to work closely with Hubbub and equally passionate partners to deliver LoveYourForest, which has proven to be a powerful way of bringing to light the importance of taking pride in our rural areas.

"It was great to see how our activities helped influence the behaviour of the local community in a positive way, and we are looking forward to seeing these lessons picked up more widely. We're pleased to have been able to make such a difference, and proud that the programme will continue under the leadership of Forest of Dean District Council and Forestry England."

Abi Arden, project coordinator at Hubbub, said: "Hubbub has learnt so much from working with incredible partners to reduce litter and boost recycling in the area. "We hope that other communities around the UK are encouraged to use the LoveYourForest inspiration guide and create change in their local area."

LoveYourForest was launched as part of SBF GB&I's wider commitment to make a positive impact on the community and environment. After six successful years, the campaign is now being handed over to Forest of Dean District Council and Forestry England, who will be responsible for managing the recycling bin infrastructure and engaging local residents.

Councillor Sid Phelps, cabinet member for environment at Forest of Dean District Council, said: "We've been immensely proud to have been a partner to the LoveYourForest campaign over the last six years. The project is a great example of how working together, across organisations, for a common goal, can have much greater reach and impact.

"We know many people in our local community now recognise the LoveYourForest brand, which demonstrates just how successful the campaign has been. We very much hope to build on that success as this important project now enters a new phase."