Wiltshire Council is encouraging residents to take part in World Clean Up Day on Saturday 20 September, a global movement to reduce litter and protect the environment. By joining in, residents will be helping to preserve Wiltshire’s beautiful landscapes and supporting efforts to reduce the significant costs of litter picking, which currently exceed £2 million each year.

Every year, the council and its contractors work hard to keep Wiltshire clean, but the cost is significant. Since February alone, the council’s contractor, idverde, has cleared more than 2,100km of A, B, and C roads, collecting almost 4,740 bags of waste and around 28,300kg of litter. This work is essential, but expensive, and it diverts resources from other vital services.

Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers and community groups, the council has been able to focus its efforts on major highways. So far this year, 140 community-led litter picks have taken place, removing nearly 1,370 bags of rubbish from our streets, parks, and countryside, the equivalent of more than 1,400 hours of volunteer time.

One of those local volunteers is David a group leader from the Rudloe Wombles, who said: “The Rudloe Wombles litter group comprising nine volunteers assemble at 10am on the first Sunday of each month and regularly collect 12 bags of litter. The team have been operating in the area for ten years, that represents a total of 1,440 bags of litter collected over the operating period. The team are actively supported by Box Parish Council, Wiltshire Council, idverde and the Keep Britain Tidy organisation who also provide the insurance cover for the team via the Litter Hero Ambassador programme. 

“I am one of the volunteer ambassadors and our task is to lead and support local litter-picking groups, promote campaigns like the Great British Spring Clean, and help register new volunteers, contributing to the organization's efforts to tackle litter and waste.”

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “A huge thank you to all staff, volunteers and community groups who have given their time to help keep Wiltshire clean, and to idverde who have supported the collections. The amount of litter collected is incredible, and it shows how much people care about their local environment.

“World Clean Up Day is a great opportunity to get involved, meet others in your community, and take pride in where you live. While most people dispose of their litter responsibly, we still see the impact of careless behaviour. Littering not only spoils our beautiful landscapes but also harms wildlife and the environment.

“Our Don’t Mess with Wiltshire campaign looks to encourage behaviour change and encourages people to play their part in keeping the countryside clean, by disposing of their litter responsibly. By working together, we can reduce littering and redirect resources to other essential services. 

“If you take part on 20 September, send us a picture of your collection and we will share them to showcase your efforts. Let’s come together to make Wiltshire cleaner, greener, and even more beautiful.”

To find a local group or borrow litter-picking equipment visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/litter or contact the Streetscene Community Engagement Manager at wiltshirehelpdesk@idverde.co.uk.

To report litter in your area, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts.