Litter Picking
Litter doesn’t just make places look untidy — it harms wildlife, pollute our waterways and negatively impacts the places we live.
By organising or taking part in local litter picks, community groups across Northern Ireland are helping to care for the places they love and inspiring others to do the same. Every effort makes a difference — whether it’s a quick five-minute tidy-up or a larger community clean-up event.
How Your Group Can Get Involved
Getting started with litter picking is simple and rewarding. Whether you’re cleaning up a local park, beach, or street, your group can make a visible difference in just a few hours. Here are some easy ways to get involved:
- Organise a clean-up: Plan a group litter pick in your local area — it could be a one-off event or a regular activity.
- Borrow equipment: Many councils and community hubs provide litter pickers, gloves and bags free of charge. Find your local council contact here.
- Sort and recycle: Separate recyclable materials where possible to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
- Stay safe: Wear gloves, use litter pickers, and avoid hazardous waste — your safety comes first.
- Record your impact: Share your results by completing the Activity Log and post your photos on social media using #LiveHereLoveHere to celebrate your success!
Resources and Support
Live Here Love Here offers a range of practical tools and guidance to make litter picking easy, safe and impactful:
- Litter Picking Quick Guide – Access a step-by-step guide for planning and running successful litter picks in your community here.
- Health & Safety Handbook – Find essential advice on staying safe while volunteering outdoors here.
- Volunteer Networks – Connect with other groups, share resources, and collaborate on larger clean-up efforts. Find the Connecting Community Network here.
- The impact of litter - Find the latest data and reports on litter and local environmental quality across Northern Ireland here.