Helping nature (and ourselves) by litter picking

Sadly, litter is a common sight in urban greenspaces – cans, single use plastic drinks bottles, crisp packets and sweetie wrappers. I see litter as a symptom of just how disconnected society is from nature. Of course, sometimes litter occurs by accident, when things fall out of pockets or lightweight recycling bins get blown over in windy conditions, but often it is a subconscious or deliberate act.

Litter is not only unsightly, it can be dangerous to wildlife and can also pollute the environment for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Fragments of rubbish can be ingested by animals by mistake causing choking or obstruction in the gut. Larger items can pose a potential threat of entanglement and cuts and injuries, and tiny microplastics can build up in the bodies of creatures and get past along the food chain causing impacts on the health of wildlife populations and ourselves.

We don’t have to stand by and bemoan how awful the litter is in our local greenspaces though. We can as individuals choose to take action, by doing the occasional litter pick. Not only is it a positive act, it also has wellbeing benefits. It feels good to give back to the environment and your local community and make a positive difference. It can also be a mindful activity if you are litter picking by yourself, keeping you in the present as you search for litter. If you are taking part in a community clean-up with others you get the benefit of the camaraderie and connection with like-minded souls over a common purpose. Collecting litter is also a mildly physical activity so you are also getting the benefit of this too which can help to lift your mood.

If you are going for a wee walk anyway, why not do a litter pick at the same time? The only bit of kit you really need is a litter picker and a bag. I tend to use old bags or former packaging from home to collect the litter in and then deposit the bag in the bin at the entrance of the park once I’ve finished my litter pick. Using a litter picker is important to help protect yourself from touching anything that may potentially cause you harm. Only litter pick in places you feel safe and never pick up anything that is unsafe to do so. Take sensible precautions to keep yourself safe and always ensure you wash your hands afterwards.

Doing a small litter pick now and again does make a difference and it is really satisfying knowing that you have not only helped wildlife in this way but also made your local greenspace look better too. Why not give it a go?

‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’

– Dr. Seus

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’  – Margaret Mead