Litter picking – did you know your local council could help?
If you are planning on organising a litter pick or beach clean as part of your Marine Champion Action Plans, then your local council could be a good contact to make.
Whether its support with litter picking equipment, or assistance in the disposal of the rubbish you collect, there are numerous ways local councils often support community clean ups:
Equipment loan
Many local authorities offer support for a community litter pick by providing free loan of equipment such as litter pickers, Hi-Viz vests and waste bags. They may also be able to loan out other items such as bag hoops and gloves.
Some Councils also pool their resources or work with Keep Britain Tidy organisations. Across Wales, for instance, there are 200 ‘Litter Picking Hubs’ which lend out litter picking kits for free.
How to access free loan equipment:
To see if your local council or authority offers a free loan service, check out their official websites (often listed under ‘volunteer’, ‘community litter picking’ or as part of their waste management department). You may need to register your event to be able to access their services. Alternatively, search for local partnerships or ‘clean communities’ schemes.
Waste disposal
Your local council should also be able to help in disposing of the rubbish you collect during a beach clean or litter pick. With prior arrangement and depending on the amount of rubbish retrieved, a council’s waste management department can organise a collection pick up from an agreed location or drop off point. Formally organising such a collection also ensures any waste left will not be viewed as illegal dumping. Smaller amounts of waste can potentially also be dropped off at a local recycling centre or disposed of through household waste.
For further guidance on the disposal of rubbish collected as part of a litter pick/beach clean, or to arrange a collection, contact your local council's waste management department.
