Are you sick of seeing litter everywhere and want to do something about it?
We’ll help you get started!
Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower everyone
to Go Litter Picking to clean up their community!
Litter is waste in the wrong place.
It can be intentional or unintentional in public or natural spaces.
Litter comes in all forms, shapes and sizes and can be found virtually everywhere.
These are some common litter items:
The most common type of litter is CIGARETTE BUTTS!
Litter is a huge problem that needs attention!
In cities & towns
Litter is an eyesore that can be found in every major city and town across the country.
In rural & natural areas
Litter can be found in the countryside and natural areas especially where people congregate.
Along shores & waterways
Litter washes up on shores of lakes, rivers and streams and our seaside waters.
Litter is bad for all of earth’s inhabitants!
Bad for wildlife on land
Animals often mistake litter for food, leading to ingestion of harmful materials. This can cause internal blockages, malnutrition, and death.
Bad for life in the sea
Water birds, fish, and mammals are frequently entangled in discarded items like bags, fishing lines and six-pack rings, resulting in injury, starvation or drowning.
And Bad for all of us!
Litter poisons the environment, the food chain and our precious water supply which then poisons us. Microplastics and nanoplastics are especially harmful.
This is why you should Go Litter Picking
For the Environment
Picking up litter significantly contributes to the preservation of the health and beauty of our natural environment. Litter is pollution and can be deadly.
Removing waste from natural habitats helps prevent pollution that can harm wildlife and ecosystems. Litter can introduce toxins into soil and waterways, negatively impacting plants, animals and us! Plastics & other non-biodegradable materials can persist for centuries, disrupting the balance of nature.
For the Community
Picking up litter promotes a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant community. You can help make a difference by starting in your own local area.
Litter-free streets, parks, and public spaces create a more inviting and pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike. This boosts community pride, encourages more outdoor activities, and increases home and business values. This in turn attracts more tourists and new residents, positively contributing to local economies.
For You!
Picking up litter can improve physical fitness and mental well-being by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and providing a sense of accomplishment. It can be therapeutic.
Physical activity involved in picking up litter contributes to overall fitness and health. Volunteering for clean-up efforts provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which can enhance mental health and boost mood. And participating in community service can develop a sense of social responsibility and strengthen bonds with fellow citizens.
The 6P’s is the best way to Go Litter Picking
1. Participate
Take the first step to volunteer to go litter picking in your community and encourage others to join you. You can make a difference!
2. Plan
Identify and focus on safe areas where litter is a problem, verify access, locate where to discard the trash & recyclables, and schedule the date and time to execute your plan. Abide by local laws regarding waste collection and disposal.
3. Prepare
Obtain the knowledge and the right equipment, supplies, and safety items to do the job safely and efficiently. Carefully read our InfoGuide on Litter Picking Safety. And review our InfoGuide on Tips & Hacks for even better results.
4. Pick
Execute your plan to safely and methodically pick up, discard and recycle the litter properly all while getting some fresh air and enjoying nature. Your goal is to remove any items that shouldn’t be in the environment!
5. Post
Post your results on a litter tracking website and on social media to inform others of your efforts and to inspire others to take action.
6. Persist
Make it a goal to regularly pick up litter and encourage others to join you to make an even bigger difference. You’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished!
This is the stuff you need to Go Litter Picking
For litter collection, use the Core4 Kit of Essential Items
Litter Grabber
5 Gallon Bucket
For what to wear, dress for the Weather and Target Location
Sturdy Shoes or Boots
Hat or Cap
Healthy Snacks
Hand Sanitizer
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
First Aid Kit
Meds Needed
Work Gloves
Trash Bags for Bucket
Long or Short Sleeve Shirt
Long Pants or Shorts
Hi-Vis Vest or Bright Colors
Sunglasses or Safety Glasses
Bring these Items with You
Filled Water Bottle
Mobile Phone
Important Safety Tips to Go Litter Picking
Before You Go Litter Picking
Be Careful of Uneven or Slippery Terrain
Avoid Dangerous Wildlife
Avoid Poisonous Plants & Trees
Be Wary of Dangerous Insects
Carefully Handle Broken Glass
Stay Hydrated & Fueled Up
Wash Hands or Use Hand Sanitizer
Clean All Equipment Used
Check for Bad Weather
Gather All Preps
Read Our InfoGuide on Safety
Notify Others of Your Plans
During Litter Picking
Wear Hi-Vis Vest if Near Traffic
Don’t Lift Heavy Objects Alone
After Litter Picking
Report Any Hazardous Waste Found
Want to learn more about Litter Picking?
Download our free PDF InfoGuides
Use our Litter Picking Event Forms and Posters
Download our free PDFs below
Get ready for your cleanup session or event with this comprehensive and concise one-page checklist detailing Target Cleanup Site Review, Equipment & Supplies, Clothing, Footwear, Wearables, and Final Preps.
Stay organized at your cleanup session or event with this simple sign-in form. It allows you to record cleanup site information and gather important attendee information which can be used to follow up with them.
Track the results of your cleanup session or event with this form. It allows you to record number and weight of bags of litter and recyclables collected as well as detailed litter information which can be very useful for litter research.
Print out and post these letter-size posters to promote everyone to Go Litter Picking or to advertise a litter cleanup event in your local community. Use them at an employer, business, in your local neighborhood, community, organization, club, school or university, or any other location to encourage volunteers to join your fun and environmentally friendly activity and to get some exercise, fresh air and even relieve some stress!