Pick litter to keep wildlife safe
Clean up your local area today. It will help create a safer and healthier world for animals on land and in the water.
Last edited: 24/10/2024
Before you get started
Why this is important
Litter is a serious issue across the UK and can be extremely dangerous for wildlife.
Everyday items like food tins, frisbees, or balloons might seem harmless, but animals can become entangled, trapped, or injured.
Litter picking is a simple yet powerful way to make a huge difference. We’d love for you to get involved and head outside to help clean up!
Supporting documents
Duke of Edinburgh Worksheet [6 hours]
Instructions
Litter picking
Choosing an area
Choose an area for your litter pick. All litter has the potential to harm wildlife, so collecting it from a town centre can prevent it from reaching rivers and woodlands.
Remember to carry out a health and safety risk assessment of your chosen area.
Working in the area
Decide how you'll approach litter picking in your chosen spot—whether by scanning as you walk or setting timed intervals across specific areas.
Remember to respect animal habitats; our goal is to leave them cleaner while keeping them intact.
Record results
Here are a few ways you can record your results:
- Take photos of interesting findings or create a before-and-after showcase of your litter-picking site.
- Categorise the litter you collect (e.g., by material or recyclability).
- Weigh the total amount of litter collected.
Preventing harm
Reflect on how your efforts have helped prevent harm to wildlife by picking up litter.
Was there a particular piece of litter that you think could have harmed animals—or even people?
celebrate your achievement
Be part of a million-strong movement for animals!
Log in or sign up to share how you've helped animals by sending us your work. Your contribution will inspire others to join our million-strong movement for animal welfare. You’ll receive an Animal Health Certificate to celebrate your part in this shared movement to create a better world for animals.