Volunteering in our green spaces
Litter picking safety guidelines
We can provide litter picks, gloves and rubbish bags for your litter pick. We can collect the bagged rubbish you pick up.
Please contact waste.services@pendle.gov.uk to arrange this
If you would like to volunteer you can find out more on our volunteer opportunities page.
Litter picking safety guidelines
- Wash your hands before and after picking litter. Wear gloves.
- Tell someone where you are going and keep your mobile phone on you.
- Always avoid direct contact with litter (use your litter picker, not your hands!).
- Only pick in daylight hours and when you can easily see what you’re doing.
- If you don’t know what it is, don’t pick it up. It isn’t worth the risk.
- Don’t try to move or touch dead or live animals. You can report animals in distress to the RSPCA. Report dead animals that need to be removed to us.
- Use a litter picker for any glass and metal items.
- Don’t touch or move any needles or drug-related items. Report them to us.
- Clean your hands thoroughly before eating or drinking.
- Don’t use your hands to squash or flatten down rubbish and be careful around bushes and brambles.
- Avoid contact with the body when carrying plastic bin bags.
- Ensure any cuts or scrapes are clean and covered with a waterproof plaster before you start.
- Be aware of the risk of ticks and insects in long grass or bushes.
- Wear strong shoes and clothing fit for the weather.
- Never turn your back on oncoming traffic.
- Don’t try to pick litter from the road.
- Avoid areas close to rivers and steep slopes, drops and ditches where you could easily fall.
- Don’t overfill bin bags and avoid lifting heavy objects or sacks alone. Bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting.
- Follow local rules and park safely and lawfully.
- Do not confront anyone you see littering.