Clean up your local environment
**COVID 19 – LITTER PICKING UPDATE** check guidance here.
What help is available?

Local councils are keen to support local people and community organisations to do their bit and if you are planning a community clean-up in your area, you can contact your local council who can provide you with all the equipment needed for a successful event, including waste bags, litter pickers, high-vis vests and protective gloves. Your local council can also arrange to uplift of full litter bags once collected. To get help from your local council for your clean-up event, contact:
South Lanarkshire Council: Emma Berry, 01698 717775/ 07385 032023, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
North Lanarkshire Council: Gordon Bruce, 01698 355 228 / 07939 280 344 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You should have the following information to hand:
- The area(s) which will be cleaned up
- Numbers of children / adults taking part
- An address for delivery / uplift of equipment
- Dates and times of clean up events
If rubbish and fly-tipping in the area in question is a persistant problem requiring action, report it through Dumb Dumpers, the fly tipping hotline.
Things to consider when planning an event

During the event: You should identify one person who will lead the event on the day. It will be their responsibility to co-ordinate the volunteers and to know what the emergency procedures are. Remember - A picture can tell a thousand words and can be useful for promoting other events in the future. Use photographs to record key moments. Also, if you send them to the local press you might get publicity for your achievements.
After the event: Try to report back to your volunteers on what the event achieved. You may also want to tell other people such as local councillors or other local groups. Make sure that one person gathers all of the records and keeps them in a safe place, as you will need them in the future.
Preparing a Risk Assesment
1. Identifying any hazards. Hazards could include unidentified cans or canisters, broken glass, syringes, clinical waste, etc.
2. Deciding who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluating the risks and deciding on precautions
4. Recording your findings and implementing them
5. Reviewing your assessment and updating it if necessary
Find out more and download a risk assessment template here.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is the most common type of insurance used by small organisations. It protects the group for legal liabilities in respect of injury, death and loss or damage to property of the public affected by the work of the group. The cost will vary depending on the activities your organisation undertakes and the procedures your organisation follows to minimise risk. There are lots of companies that can provide insurance for this class of risk. Just search on the internet for voluntary group insurers.
If your group does not have insurance, make sure that all members of the group and any volunteers are made aware of this. If they are concerned, they should not get involved in the activity.
Hazardous waste
Top tips
- Identify a first-aider for the event
- Make sure all children are accompanied by adults
- All participants should wash their hands thoroughly before eating or drinking. (You should also consider providing anti-bacterial wipes)
- Appoint an event co-ordinator who will know the emergency procedures and to whom accidents should be reported
- At the start of an event, make sure volunteers can handle tools and equipment properly and they understand any potential hazards associated with the work they will be doing
For more information and support, view the Keep Scotland Beautiful Clean Up Survey and Information Pack.
Good luck!