Important: Litter can be contaminated, so we have put together some information to help you handle it safely. Please click on this link to have a read through our Health and Safety Guidance before you go out litter-picking.
Important: Litter can be contaminated, so we have put together some information to help you handle it safely. Please click on this link to have a read through our Health and Safety Guidance before you go out litter-picking.
Impromptu litter pick on my street For months, maybe embarrassingly even years I have wanted to tackle the gated albeit abandoned green space opposite my house full of brambles with rubbish inbetween the branches and gathered at one point on the ground where the two main gates join (the rest is brick wall on the lower part). I felt the fear and armed with my bug blue IKEA bag and my extra long litter picker (my shorter preferred one is at work from last week’s morning canal pick) I crossed the road and picked on my street out in the open. It was a bit daunting at first as normally I don’t have many prying eyes or potential of being walked past or driven past when I’m usually picking along the canal but I soon got into it and was surprised at how much rubbish there was.
I spotted so much on the ground as i peered through the railings, a lot of which I couldn’t get as it was tricky with my picker and the brambles are rife and thorny(!), months and years worth of rubbish :( But i kept going and managed fo fill the bag before emptying the general waste into the street bin nearby and leaving all the clean recyclable waste in the bag to decant in my recycling wheelie bin. I filled the bag once more to the brim and then headed over to my house to empty and sort through into general waste and recyclable waste. It’s official, Bank Holidays are definitely the best day for me to do this kind of thing as I live on a busy road and there is also a mosque and meeting hall nearby so my timing was good as there are no events scheduled in Bank holidays (Sundays are a nightmare, no such thing as peace and quiet round here!) and also prayer time was earlier and the next one wouldn’t be until after midday. So I went out just after 9 and got home around half 10. There’s still loads more to be picked for sure but I’m glad I got over the hurdle of getting out there in the first place, despite the few strange looks, unhelpful behaviour, including someone chucking their still alight cigarette butt right where I was picking (shame on them, good luck for karma!) but I hope for the people that did pass on the pavement or in their cars that perhaps it made them think and if anything give them the confidence and inspiration to do something and make a difference themselves to our planet :) .
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Here at CleanupUK, we want to help you to take LitterAction! Wherever you live in the UK, forming your own community litter-picking group will help to keep your community safer, more friendly and free of litter. It’s lots of fun too. Why not muck in and join us?
