‘Take ya pick-er’: Sheffield’s drive to collect more litter

Sheffield City Council launches a new drive to help volunteers keep the city litter free.

The council has paired with its highway contractor, Amey, to stock 12 local libraries with litter pickers, bags, and gloves.

The equipment will now be readily available for people who proactively wish to look after their neighbourhoods.

Councillor Joe Otten, Chair of the Waste & Street Scene Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We all want to live in clean and attractive areas and by providing litter picking equipment in multiple locations across the city, we can ensure those who want to make a difference can do so easily, with the proper equipment.”

The Council will coordinate the distribution of the equipment after the new stock is delivered by Amey to the Central Library. The library service will then utilise its fleet of drivers to deliver new equipment to libraries that require it.

Councillor Otten said: “This initiative is a positive step in growing and supporting our volunteer litter picking groups and harnessing the pride that Sheffield residents already have in their local areas.”

This new project comes following feedback from community-led groups such as the Sheffield Litter Pickers, who recognised that access to litter picking equipment would achieve higher levels of volunteer engagement resulting in cleaner and greener communities.

Linda Ball, from the Sheffield Litter Pickers, said: “Anyone wanting to be active in their communities can do so – it is satisfying and rewarding to make a difference, and all efforts to keep our city clean are much appreciated.”

For more information about getting your own litter picking equipment and how to start litter picking, visit Organise a community litter pick | Sheffield City Council.