A massive 273 tonnes of litter were removed from our shores and green spaces as part of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful campaigns in 2019.
The charity's initiatives such as Big Spring Clean, Clean Coasts Week and Adopt a Spot empowered volunteers and harnessed a passion for action.
Live Here Love Here Manager Jodie McAneaney was speaking as Belfast Live launched our #Do1Thing campaign.
She said: "It is crucial people start taking one small step towards sustainability and strive for change in 2020.
"This year 130,892 volunteers joined in the various Live Here Love Here projects, including families,community/youth groups, schools, businesses, sporting associations and clubs - tackling areas plagued with litter, graffiti and dog mess plus encouraging people to plant and tend to community gardens.
"One of our most encouraging successes is the ‘Adopt a Spot’ scheme where volunteers can take charge of a spot in their local area - improving it for the whole community to enjoy with clean-ups and green-ups (planting and encouraging natural gardens)."
Jodie said that the next 12 months will be pivotal.
She said: "We have big plans for 2020 including our annual Live Here Love Here Awards, now in November – an incredible opportunity to acknowledge the selfless volunteers and raise awareness of all the valuable projects happening across the country and throughout the year.
"We’ll also see the return of Northern Ireland’s largest volunteer project – The Big Spring Clean and favourites Big Beach Clean and the Blue & Green Flag Awards.
"It’s set to be an exciting year ahead and one we hope will turn the tide on our litter problem here in Northern Ireland and protect our country for future generations."
Belfast Live's #Do1Thing campaign is encouraging our readers to make small changes to their lives to help in the fight against climate change. Have a look at our special hub here.
- Videos by Belfast Live's Harry Bateman
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
