Feel good, litter pick
The easiest way to get involved is to join the many people who already litter pick when out and about. Leaving somewhere cleaner than you found it is very rewarding in the fight-back against littering and associated harms. Picking up litter makes you feel good, shows ‘litterers’ people do care, encourages others to join in, and may even be a deterrent to those that litter. Litter picking is essential to prevent the estimated death of 4 million small animals every year in discarded cans and bottles lining our roadsides and hedges,. However, always put safety first in where, and what you pick up. The more ‘historic litter’ we can remove, the easier the job gets, and the more natural our environment becomes for the benefit of all. It is amazing how quickly an area can be improved through this positive activity.
When picking litter, it is only items made by humans that we want to collect such as tins, cans and bottles. Natural logs and rocks are important habitats and should remain undisturbed.
To add more excitement, you could try using the LitterLotto app (13yrs+) which is a free to enter prize draw, just for using a bin.
If you want to do even more, you could set up a litter picking group, join an existing group or meet for a planned event such as a beach clean.
You could also get involved in related activities through Devon’s Community Action Groups (CAG) or Local Nature Partnership.
Support the annual Great British Spring Clean
The national Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean is an annual event, usually in March, where individuals, groups or schools, simply pledge to pick litter in their areas and following basic guidance get out and about to collect the litter pledged. In last year’s event, over 400,000 bags of litter were pledged to be collected!
If you missed the event or prefer to do it your own way, don’t worry as many fantastic volunteers already litter pick every day of the year. If you want to join them see our Quick guide to litter picking below.
If you are a regular litter picker you could register as a KBT #LitterHero to record your collections, or if you organise events or run a group, you could apply to be a #LitterHero Ambassador
However you decide to get involved, your contribution will make a huge difference to our environment and wildlife.
Do I need equipment?
Not necessarily. If you simply pick up the odd piece of litter which catches your eye when out and about you will be joining many other like minded individuals who routinely pick litter as they go and pop it in the nearest bin or recycle it.
If you want to take part in a more organised event then litter picking equipment will be helpful. Contact your local authority in the first instance who usually have equipment available to borrow, and at the same time you will be able to register your litter pick with them so they can arrange to collect the litter if needed. See our quick guide below for more information.
If you wanted to buy your own equipment, a number of retailers exist including the Helping Hand Company who have litter pickers and bag hoops in their tried and tested range.
If you are feeling resourceful, you could even make your own litter picker using sticks and string!
What do I do with the litter collected?
Small amounts of litter can be put into street litter bins, but please don’t fill them or there will be no room for other litter. For new and clean items such as cans, plastic or glass bottles, you could also use your household collection containers which also means that these can be recycled, but please don’t pick up hazardous or fly tipped items which should always be reported to your local authority.
For larger amounts of litter or bigger litter picking events on public land, let your local authority know before you litter pick for advice about what to do with the waste collected. Often local authorities are very appreciative and will arrange for the drop-off or collection of the litter collected.
Unless specified, litter and fly tipping cannot be taken to Recycling Centres due to the type and quality of litter usually collected. Historic litter can impact on otherwise good quality recycling collected at these sites, or include dog waste or other unpleasant items which the sites are not usually licenced to manage, as well as being a health and safety risk for staff. It is likely you will be turned away from these sites unless by prior arrangement so discuss with your Local Authority before you pick.
On private land, you will need the landowners permission and they will also need to arrange the disposal of any waste collected themselves.
