Be a part of this year’s Great British Spring Clean!

Havant Borough Council is proud to be taking part in and supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean: the country’s biggest mass action environmental campaign. The aim of the campaign is to inspire people to work in partnership with community organisations, businesses and councils to collect and safely dispose of litter from their local streets, parks and beaches.

The Great British Spring Clean encourages local residents to organise a community litter picking event. In our bid to support the campaign and any local litter picking events, Havant Borough Council will loan litter pickers, purple waste bags, hoops, and gloves (subject to availability).

We will also work closely with our street cleaning and litter partner, Norse South East, to arrange the collection of waste from litter picking activities from an agreed, designated point or residential address, if groups contact us in advance.

Councillor Gwen Robinson, Cabinet Lead for Affordable Housing, Communities and CIL said, "This is a great initiative for residents in the borough to get involved with and make a difference.  It’s a great way to meet new friends outdoors, while making the borough a cleaner place to live.  

“Taking pride in the place we live, work, and enjoy is one of our corporate priorities as a council, but it is also everyone’s responsibility. With spring pretty much upon us, I’d encourage anyone to get out and about and volunteer for their local Great British Spring Clean! 

“I'd like to thank my fellow Councillor, Elizabeth Lloyd, for highlighting and coordinating this Keep Britain Tidy event."

Cabinet lead for Commercial, Councillor Lulu Bowerman. added “Litter costs the council a staggering amount a year to clear, and we are lucky to have community groups and residents that already help clean up litter from our streets, town centres and open spaces throughout the year.

“The council offers support to any person, school or local community group that would like to organise a voluntary litter pick in their area at any time for the year. The support provided includes promoting the pick locally to encourage involvement, providing equipment and the collection of any waste.” 

How to get involved

First things first…

  • head over to Keep Britain Tidy to register your litter pick (this will enable them to keep track of all the good work going on across the country!)
  • Read the helpful Beginner's Guide To Litter Picking 2023
  • whether you’re a group or an individual keen to take part, visit our Community Litter Picking page to find out how we can offer support for your litter pick (including loaning equipment and organising bag collection)

Next step…

  • take to the streets, parks, beaches or any outside space in the borough and be a #LitterHero
  • your safety is essential. Please only litter pick where you feel safe and comfortable to do so. Always litter pick in daylight, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear, including a hi vis vest if possible. Please do not litter pick along roads with a speed limit of more than 30mph, highways or highway verges, or any roads where there is no pavement or footpath.
  • when carrying out your litter pick, if you come across any incidents of fly tipping please leave the waste in situ and report it through our online contact us form or by calling 023 9244 6010.  This will allow us to investigate and arrange for the appropriate organisation to remove the waste.

Lastly, we want to celebrate all the fantastic efforts this year so…

  • tell us all about it! Help us record and celebrate your contribution by filling out our online form
  • remember to share your photographs and stories of your event with us! Tag us in your social media posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @havantborough and use the hashtags #GBSpringClean and #OneBagBigDifference
  • you can also send photos through via email to partnersupport@havant.gov.uk. Please make sure you have permission from all those in the photo before sharing with Havant Borough Council – those under 16 will need the permission of their parent, guardian or carer. Any images shared may be used for promotional purposes online, with local media and on our social media channels

Keep Britain Tidy's campaign "One bag - Big difference" takes place between Friday 17 March to Sunday 2 April. Together we can make a difference.