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.
About
A litter pick is a practical environmental activity where learners, staff and volunteers collect litter from the site grounds or local community spaces. Suitable for all education phases, litter picks provide hands-on opportunities to improve local environments while increasing understanding of waste and pollution issues.
This is also a brilliant activity to get to know the local area and team up with local organisations, parents and carers.
Why
Litter picks help create cleaner, safer and more attractive spaces for learning and recreation. They encourage environmental stewardship from learners, staff, parents and the local community. They develop teamwork and help participants understand the impacts of littering on communities and local ecosystems.
The activity can also generate useful information about commonly discarded items, supporting future waste reduction initiatives.
Litter picks and waste audits have the potential to get support from local councils, helping to increase waste awareness campaigns.
How
You can:
- Contact local litter organisations that may be able to provide litter-pick equipment.
- Before going on a litter pick, consider teaching and learning opportunities so those involved are taught about health and safety issues, as well as how to properly dispose of litter.
- Identify an appropriate location and complete any necessary risk assessments.
- If you have an estates and site team, they may be able to provide litter pickers, gloves and waste bags.
- Record the types and quantities of litter collected where possible and use the findings to support awareness campaigns.
- Dispose of the litter you’ve collected responsibly. Share outcomes with the wider community to highlight the positive impact of the activity.
Resources
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