Funded by the DfE, Climate Ambassadors match volunteer climate experts with education settings.
Part of Let’s Go Zero, Climate Action Advisors are independent experts who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England.
Lincoln Minster School wanted to improve the look and feel of their school grounds, as well as local green space by forming a litter picking group.
What they did
Driven by United Learning’s Student Leadership Programme - which promotes student-led projects and benefits the local community - an eco-conscious group of pupils launched a litter-picking campaign.
They wanted to improve their green space and reduce plastic pollution negatively impacting wildlife. The team chose litter-picking as their action because it's simple, accessible, inclusive and inexpensive.
It’s something almost anyone can do with just a pair of gloves, a litter-pick and a rubbish bag.
As one of the pupils said, “it’s the little things that help the environment”.
it’s the little things that help the environment
Turning action into education
Beforehand, teachers and pupils discussed the importance of litter-picking and what benefits it can have. Positive impacts included:
- creating a safer space for students to play in
- reducing danger to wildlife
- reducing the decomposition and release of microplastics into nature
- reducing antisocial behaviour
- improving space for mental wellbeing
Crucially, they discussed high-risk waste that was strictly not to be collected - dangerous implements carelessly disposed of, such as broken glass and needles. This provided a good talking point of why homelessness and substance abuse is an issue, and how to keep safe.
The impact
Over the course of a month, the pupils participated in 5 litter picks across the city, including Greetwell Hollow - a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Teamwork was key with one student holding the rubbish bag and the other filling it.
The project inspired some pupils to continue their litter-picking over half term - both in their local village and even on holiday in Venice, Italy!
The crew hope to display to the rest of the school how easy it is to clean the local area and expand the task force over the future.
How to replicate
- Set up a group of eco-conscious pupils
- Discuss the positive impacts of litter picking and how to stay safe during it
- Source gloves (such as gardening gloves), bin bags, litter pickers and scales (if possible)
- Find a safe and accessible space to litter pick
- Weigh how much litter is picked after each event to monitor your impact.
- Dispose of your litter appropriately
- Keep Britain Tidy have a helpful guide on litter-picking essentials
Want to replicate Lincoln Minsters success?
Take a look at these recommended actions:
Identify some general waste quick wins
Use the findings from your waste audit to identify some simple, immediate changes which will improve your waste practices. This could include reducing waste, repurposing and reusing items, improving your recycling, and composting.
Involve learners in increasing your setting's biodiversity
Create opportunities for your children or young people to actively contribute to your setting's biodiversity.