Community Litter Picking

See your region differently, and make an instant impact.

Following an apprenticeship with The Big Beds Clean Up, started in Flitwick by George Karaiskou, who spoke at our launch meeting in February 2020, a couple of ACCG members trialled a small group litter pick in The Firs woods, off Station Road. Some of the recruits to that event went on to organise our first community litter pick in early March 2020, involving over 40 people. Many families with young children gave an hour of their Saturday morning, as well as individual residents wanting to make a difference. Covid -19 restrictions meant we had a pause, but we are now back to organising monthly events.

Litter picking people

Litter Picking can be quite an exploration and an eye-opener. Sometimes groups focused on areas where they knew littering was a problem. Sometimes the collectors found new problem zones, to target for later picks. Many younger litter pickers are motivated to protect wildlife, whilst others are keen to show pride in our community. The activity is often an education on what we waste – especially single use plastic and food packaging. Litter pick organisers quickly started thinking about positions of street waste bins and potential for on-street recycling bins, and about engaging with retailers about traceable waste, such as from takeaway food.

As first lockdown restrictions loosened, Ampthill experienced a new littering problem centred on the Great Park. A number of residents took to the slopes armed with litter picking sticks and bin bags to help address the problem, sticking to the various rules of 1, 2 or 6. Thanks to all those people for giving up their time and helping keep our community safe and tidy.

Organise your own...

ACCG is able to loan out litter picking tools for any households interested in a single litter-picking session, or a regular committed session. Send us an email at hello@ampthillclimatechange.co.uk to arrange your drop off. We can also help any groups looking to organise community litter picks - have a look at our "Setting Up a Litter Pick" help sheet in Useful Documents.

Tips, and hazards

If you would like to carry out your own small group litter pick, please wear gloves, don’t handle litter directly, use your own refuse bags, and put it with your own black bin waste. Don’t pick up broken glass, needles or anything else hazardous. If in Ampthill Great Park, you can report these items by texting the Park Rangers on 07511 702357, or report items on the streets by emailing customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk, or phone 0300 300 8302.

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