Clean ups
By taking the time and effort to carry out a clean up event in your area you will make a difference to your local community.
To help you with your event, we've put together a few points for you to consider:
1. Location
Decide where you would like to carry out your clean up; it could be a local park, beach, school grounds or your local high street. Try to choose a location that is used by members of the community regularly or a spot that will benefit from this activity.
2. Volunteers
You don’t need a large group to make a difference. Ask friends, family and local residents. If you are planning a large-scale clean up you could drum up support from other groups in your area such as schools, Scout and Guide groups or Neighbourhood Watch as well as environmental groups etc.
3. Registration
You will need to register your clean up with the local borough / district council. Contact details are required for a named organiser who will be responsible for carrying out the risk assessment and briefing the volunteers on the day.
4. Equipment
Local authorities can provide you with the following litter picking equipment:
- Hi-visibility jackets
- Litter pickers
- Gloves
5. Risk assessment
Once you have chosen a place for your clean-up, visit the site and carry out a risk assessment. Copies of the risk assessment are issued by your local borough / district councils when you register your event.
6. Volunteer briefing
Before you begin your clean-up, gather your volunteers together for a briefing which should include:
- Health and safety risks
- The boundaries of the clean-up area
- What to do in case of emergency (including first aid arrangements)
- Meeting times and locations
7. Be considerate
If you are working in the countryside or in open spaces please be careful not to disturb animals or damage plants, leave “natural” rubbish such as logs, stones etc. alone.
8. The result!
Ensure all the rubbish you’ve collected is in the designated collection area – as pre arranged with your local council. Once you have completed your clean up return the feedback form, along with the list of attendees to your local council.
For more information, contact Clean Kent on: 0845 345 0210
