The second year of a three-year campaign aimed at reducing litter, which is being implemented in 25 countries including China, was launched on Thursday.

The "Litter Less" drive is being organised in China by the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Yang Ke, an official with the ministry's division of communication and education, said:"I'm so excited to participate in the launch ceremony of the Litter Less campaign in Beijing for the second year, building on the program's success.

"Its hands-on involvement by children and young people in creating a cleaner environment, and will continue to help promote a meaningful change in attitude towards littering."

The campaign is being implemented through a $3.25 million donation from the William Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation and aims to help engage and educate children about littering, encouraging them to make positive choices.

It is being implemented through two programs in each participating country.

Children aged 5 to 12 take part in the Eco-School program and are asked to design and lead their own anti-litter projects, or organize a Litter Less event at their schools.

Students aged from 11 to 21 become involved in the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) program, acting as "journalists" investigating the problem of litter. Their work will be judged by a national panel, and the winners will compete for an International YRE Award, said Judy Zhang, public affairs director-China for Wrigley.