How you and your family can help with the campaign

What is the Great British September Clean?

It is, in fact, the postponed Great British Spring Clean, which had to be mothballed in March when the country went into lockdown.

How can I get involved?

Anyone who wants to take part can do so by registering via the Keep Britain Tidy website.

When is it taking place?

The campaign will run from September 11 to 27 but you can pledge to start right now if you want, via the website.

What can I do?

You can either pledge to litter-pick by yourself or with those you live with. Whether you do five minutes or five hours, every individual action can make a difference. You can also organise a small clean-up for you and up to eight other people and register it on the website. You will be able to access resources, including a detailed ‘how to’ guide that will explain how to do a clean-up safely and what to do with the rubbish you collect.

Is it safe with the risk from Covid-19?

Yes, but you must be careful. If you are going to pick up litter, you must be wearing gloves – not PPE-type gloves but more substantial, gardening-type gloves – and use a litter-picker.

Do not touch the litter you collect and make a special effort not to touch your face while litter-picking. If you are litter-picking alone and only have a small amount of rubbish, please just pop that in your own household bin. You could separate out the plastic bottles and aluminium cans into your recycling bin but, again, use your litter-picker to do this.

If you find you have too much rubbish, you will be able to find details of contacts at your local council, if they are involved with the campaign, on the Keep Britain Tidy website. Get in touch with them and they will tell you where to leave the rubbish you’ve picked up for collection.

What are the rules if I litter-pick with people I don’t live with?

You should not litter-pick with more than eight other people, in line with the latest Scottish Government guidelines at time of going to press and you must observe social distancing – a good guide is to stay two metres from each other. All the health and safety information you need is available on the Keep Britain Tidy website when you register. Contact your local council before your litter-pick to tell them what you’re doing and where and to arrange for the rubbish you pick up to be collected.

What do I need?

All you need to start litter-picking is some gardening-type gloves, a litter-picker and a rubbish bag. A lot of local authorities are supporting the Great British September Clean and their details are on the website when you register. They may be able to lend you equipment. You can also get affordable litter-pickers from online retailers.

Are there any public events I can join?

No, not with the restrictions currently in place. if you want to ‘do your bit’ please pledge via the website then you can be part of the pick and stay safe. Or you could simply organise something with your friends and neighbours (up to five other people can join you) and register on the website.

Will there still be a Great Big School Clean?

No, but schools who want to and are able to take part in the Great British September Clean will be able to do so. They can register very simply via the Keep Britain Tidy website.