How to organise a Clean Up

Have you ever been to an area where there is so much rubbish, you now realise the mission to clear it away on your own has become no mean feat? Well you can gather a team to get rid of it faster whilst you all get to know each other and have good fun at the same time. Who knows? Your friends or work collegues can join in and you may have the bonus of getting to know your neighbours better! In fact, this can be anywhere. Here's some steps you can take:

Step 1. Decide where to make your event take place. Be aware that you will need to get permission from the Landowners first. The landowners can include Farmers, School/College/University heads, Local estate owners, Park Authority or local authority such as a Council.

Step 2. Carry out a risk assessment to make sure first hand that there are not any particular risks going to be posed not only to yourself but to the volunteers wanting to join you in picking up the litter. Make a map of your intended route where you want to clear the litter away and identify areas for first aid, toilets, public phones, checkpoints, break areas, shelters (if you litter picking on a day forecast to have Thunderstorms occur), etc.

Step 3. Consider the theme of the event: it can either be a straight-forward litter pick or have a theme to it such as a challenge to see who can pick up the most bottles and/or cans.

Step 4. Purchase the equipment needed for the event including litter pickers, black bags, refuse bag holders (if the area you intend to host the event in is likely to be windy), rubber/tough gloves, etc. You might even choose to get some buckets if you and your volunteers intend to pick up small pieces of glass. Consider hiring a skip or a dumpster to dispose of the used up bags & waste. If you can't afford a skip, contact your local authority to arrange for waste disposal.

Step 5. Make people aware of the upcoming event by means of contacting your local newspaper, radio station, Environmental Charity (such as Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Britain Tidy, Keep America Beautiful, etc) that specialises in having an event section on their website and Community Hall talks to annouce to people when your event will be taking place (ideally on a Saturday or Sunday along with the time it starts) and that everyone is welcome is turn up. It is likely the media will take an interest in what you are doing and ask permission from you if yourself & your volunteers would not mind getting their pictures taken on the day of the event.

Step 6. Always check the weather forecast, because you never know if you and your volunteers would either need shirt, shorts and sunglasses or waterproof jackets, trousers and boots for the event. Also, if your event is scheduled to take place on a beach, keep an eye on the tide times.

Step 7. Contact a charity to supply high visibility vests and/or signs to let people know what is going on.

Step 8. Brief your volunteers (regular or new) at the start of event to make them feel welcome by descriving the team leaders, first aid, how to use the equipment, etc. Explain to them the route and some safety tips:

- DO NOT pick up dead animals, weapons or syringes. Instead, they should let the team leaders including yourself know about it so that you can pass on their concerns to a local authority, animal services or police if neccessary.

- Never remove 'natural' litter like rocks, stones, weeds and logs as they could be home to animals.

- Never attempt to release entangled/trapped animals unless the person willing to do so is professionally trained to carry out this task. Otherwise, just call up animal rescue services.

- Never attempt to remove larger objects such as vehicle tyres, sofas and home applicances unless you have permission to do so.

Step 9. Make sure yourself and your volunteers demonstrate exactly how much litter youse will have picked up by using a weight scales or simply counting each litter that is in the bag.

Step 10. Try to recycle as much of rubbish as possible (e.g. use a trolley or container to put glass bottles into so that you can put them in a recycling centre.

Step 11. Thank everyone for coming. You can also make lunch for them.