Support the annual Great British Spring Clean
During the 2023 Great British Spring Clean over 400,000 bags of litter were pledged to be collected!
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.
If you missed the event, 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.
Pledge to keep it green this summer
There are many ways that small changes can make a big difference and one way is when we are enjoying summer days out with friends and family.
Why not pledge to leave only footprints, take litter home and become a litter hero!
Sign up to one or more of the pledges at Recycle Devon to enter the prize draw to WIN one of 5 Big Green Days Out with travel and an eco picnic set.
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/needed. 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 are feeling resourceful, you could even make your own litter picker! (follow the ‘make your own litter picker‘ link from North Devon’s website)
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.
