Feature Photo Credit: Matthis Volquardsen
Growing up, I remember my parents teaching me to never drop litter. “Take care of your home, and that includes the streets you walk on” my mum would say. But as I got older, I realised not everyone felt the same. Seeing parks, beaches and streets littered with rubbish always bothered me, and I wasn’t alone in feeling this way.
That’s why the Great British Spring Clean holds a special place in my heart. Organised by the charity Keep Britain Tidy, this annual two-week event rallies volunteers across the country to help remove litter from our communities. Now in its 9th year, the campaign continues to grow, inspiring more people to get involved and make a difference. But how did it all start? And why is it so crucial? Let’s dig in.
WHAT IS THE GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN?
The Great British Spring Clean is a nationwide initiative that motivates individuals, schools, businesses and community organisations to collect litter and enhance their local surroundings. Volunteers dedicate their time, equip themselves with bin bags and gloves, and set out to make their neighbourhoods cleaner and more vibrant. This effort goes beyond appearances—litter poses a significant environmental challenge. By participating, we contribute positively to wildlife, public areas, and the overall health of our communities. And yes, this initiative happens all over Britain, every year!
THE HISTORY
Although environmental consciousness has been on the rise since the 1970s, it was not until 1989 that the UK celebrated its inaugural National Spring Clean Day, thanks in part to an unexpected ally: The Wombles! These cherished children’s characters, recognised for their commitment to cleaning up and repurposing waste, perfectly embodied the mission of Keep Britain Tidy. As the event grew, in 2014, The Wombles re-emerged to back another anti-litter initiative. By 2017, the Great British Spring Clean had officially become an annual tradition, with record participation as more individuals came together to spruce up their local areas.
The driving force behind the Keep Britain Tidy campaign has been addressing litter issues since 1954. Initially established through a resolution by the Women’s Institute, this organisation has evolved into a significant environmental movement. Their advocacy led to the enactment of the UK’s Litter Act in 1958, which imposes fines for littering. Their efforts extend beyond the Spring Clean initiative—Keep Britain Tidy also manages programs like the Green Flag Award, which honours well-maintained parks, alongside creative and impactful campaigns such as “There’s No Such Thing as the Dog Poo Fairy” to tackle pet waste issues.
WHY IS LITTER AN ISSUE?
Litter presents a serious danger to our environment, with effects that go beyond mere aesthetics. In the UK, the consequences of littering are profound, impacting not only the beauty of our landscapes but also the health of ecosystems and wildlife.
The Environmental Impact of Litter
Each year, around 1.9 billion tonnes of litter find their way into the world’s oceans, worsening the crisis of marine pollution. This staggering figure underscores a global challenge, and the UK is not immune. Our rivers and coastlines increasingly suffer from discarded waste that ultimately enters the marine environment. The decomposition rates for common litter items are concerning:
- Plastic bags: Can take up to 20 years to decompose.
- Plastic bottles: May require 450 years or more.
- Aluminium cans: Approximately 200 years.
- Glass bottles: Over 1,000 years.
These lengthy decomposition periods mean that litter thrown away today will remain in the environment for generations, continuously threatening wildlife and ecosystems. In addition to environmental damage, littering carries significant economic costs. Local councils in the UK spend hundreds of millions of pounds each year on litter collection and street cleaning. For example, Glasgow City Council recently earmarked £6.5 million to tackle a serious rat infestation worsened by litter and fly-tipping. This funding will support the hiring of 200 additional workers focused on cleaning efforts and park maintenance.
The Threat to Wildlife
Litter creates numerous hazards for both terrestrial and marine wildlife. Animals often mistake litter for food or become ensnared in discarded materials, leading to injury, illness, or death.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) points out several common litter items and their risks:
- Plastic bags: Animals can suffocate by climbing inside or choke if ingested.
- Plastic can holders: These can trap animals, resulting in deep wounds or choking. Cutting the loops before disposal can help prevent these incidents.
- Elastic bands: These can wrap around small animals or birds’ beaks, leading to injury or choking if swallowed.
- Fishing tackle: Discarded lines and hooks can entangle animals or be ingested, causing internal injuries.
Marine creatures are particularly at risk when it comes to injuring themselves with our litter. It is estimated that over 400,000 marine mammals die each year due to plastic pollution in oceans. Species such as sea turtles, seals, seabirds, fish, whales and dolphins suffer from ingestion or entanglement. For example, seabirds often mistake floating plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can cause internal injuries, malnutrition, or death.
The repercussions of littering go beyond immediate physical harm. Ingested plastics can release toxic chemicals into animals’ bodies, affecting reproductive health, growth, and overall survival rates. Additionally, litter’s presence can disrupt natural behaviours such as feeding and breeding, contributing to long-term population declines.
WHY PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE AND NATURAL SPACES?
Our green spaces and waterways face ongoing threats from pollution. Litter can choke or poison wildlife, disrupt ecosystems, and contaminate soil and water. Birds, fish, and even pets can suffer from ingesting plastic and other debris. By keeping our parks and streets clean, we do more than enhance their appearance—we help protect biodiversity, support plant growth, and ensure that future generations can enjoy nature just as we do.
Preserving wildlife and natural habitats is not only a moral duty but also crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Healthy ecosystems provide important benefits, including clean air and water, crop pollination, and natural pest control. Participating in initiatives like the Great British Spring Clean empowers individuals and communities to actively safeguard their local environments. By removing litter, we reduce risks to wildlife and help restore natural habitats to their pristine conditions.
It’s not just about organised events though, simple daily actions can make a considerable difference:
- Proper Disposal: Always dispose of waste in designated bins and recycle whenever possible.
- Reusable Alternatives: Opt for reusable bags, bottles, and containers to reduce single-use plastic waste.
- Community Engagement: Educate others about the effects of littering and encourage community clean-up initiatives.
By fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, we can ensure that our natural spaces remain safe havens for wildlife and enjoyable areas for generations to come.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
Beyond merely tidying up, this initiative fosters community spirit. Working alongside neighbours for a common cause creates a unique bond—it enhances community ties, nurtures pride, and shows us that even small actions can lead to significant change.
- Join an official cleanup event – Locate a nearby litter-picking event and register to lend a hand. Sign up here, and KBT will provide you with all the necessary details to organise a cleanup day.
- Host your own cleanup – Gather some gloves, trash bags, and friends to spruce up a local park, beach, or street. You can create your own event on Facebook or Eventbrite to raise awareness and get more people involved, or see if someone else is already organising one.
- Spread the word – Share your cleanup efforts on social media using #GBSpringClean and motivate others to participate.
- Educate others – Discuss with your friends, family, and colleagues the negative impacts of littering and what actions they can take to help.
Surfers Against Sewage
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) Beach Cleans is a grassroots environmental initiative dedicated to protecting the UK’s coastlines from plastic pollution and litter. Organised by the charity Surfers Against Sewage, these beach cleanups bring together volunteers of all ages to remove waste from shorelines, helping to safeguard marine life and preserve natural beauty.
With thousands of events held each year, the movement empowers communities to take direct action in tackling ocean pollution while raising awareness about the impact of single-use plastics. Whether you’re a surfer, beach lover, or simply passionate about the environment, joining an SAS Beach Clean is a hands-on way to make a real difference. Get involved here.
the Million Mile Clean
Closely tied to the UN Decade for Ocean Science, the Million Mile Clean will run every year until 2030, mobilising 1 million volunteers to clean over 10 million miles of UK landscape.
How to get involved?
- Select a date and location that works best—cleanups can take place anywhere, including beaches, streets, rivers, mountains, and parks.
- Choose whether to organise a private clean or a larger community event that others can join via the official map.
- Register the cleanup, and free cleaning equipment will be provided for up to 30 participants.
- Public liability insurance and guidance are available to support the cleanup effort.
- After completing the cleanup, submit the results, including the number of participants, miles covered, and the total weight of rubbish collected.To maximise impact, participants can contribute to the citizen science project The Brand Audit, and submit all the items you found on your clean.
and finally....
While we may not eliminate the litter problem overnight, participating in the Great British Spring Clean allows us to make a real difference. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, grab a bag, and get started—our planet will be grateful!