Adopt an Area

You choose how often you want to do this and what area you cover. All you need to do is advise us what area this might be and how regularly you think you might want to litter pick it (this will give us an idea on the amount of litter you might be collecting)

Many local groups have already started doing this and have created maps that show which areas have been adopted, we are happy to put you in touch with these groups if you wish.  Or if you wish to join and support our Adopt an area, please see below for details and get in touch via the form below to get involved.

We currently do not have any litter pickers available for long-term loan, however these can be purchased from a number of places including DIY stores, from Keep Britain Tidy or other online retailers. We can however provide you with sacks and a hi-vis as well as support in disposing of the litter you have collected. 

• Make sure you use the bags issued to you. Do not place broken glass in these bags.
• Place any bagged litter you pick in your purple-lidded non-recyclables bin. If the litter does not fit in your purple-lidded bin, then place it at the side of your bin on your scheduled three-weekly collection in the bags provided to you. Our crews will know you are an ‘adopt an area’ volunteer and they will remove the bags at the point of collection.
• Please do not put out more than three bags of litter picked material per three-weekly cycle. If you find you collect more than this, please get in touch with us as we may need to make a separate collection arrangement with you.
• If you can, place any recyclable materials into your recycling bins. This includes empty cans, tins, plastic bottles and plastic bags and wrappings into your black-lidded bin, and clean and dry paper and cardboard into your blue-lidded bin.
• Please ensure you take any discarded vapes or batteries that are picked to a dedicated battery recycling point (located in most large supermarkets).

If you experience a problem with the removal of materials, contact us by emailing wasteandrecycling@north-herts.gov.uk

Your safety is our main concern. Please ensure you read the guidance attached on how to litter pick safely. It is important you read the guidance for litter pickers which is attached or can be found here. Below are some key points from our guidance we would like you to consider at all times:

• Only pick on public land – no garage areas, private land or land managed by housing associations .
• Keep away from slippery, steep or crumbling banks.
• If you are litter picking along road sides, wear hi-vis and please only do this where there is a dedicated footpath.
• Remember glass should not be presented in bags for collection (broken glass can cut through the bag and potentially cut you or one of the collection staff)
• Always pick items one-by-one with the equipment. Do not scoop handfuls of litter as this may contain needles or sharp objects.
• Please only pick items which can fit inside the bags provide. Anything larger such as fridges, tyres, gas bottles etc should be left and reported to the council for removal via our fly tipping form
• If you are litter picking alone please also consider carefully where you will be going and at what time. Do not litter pick in the dark. 
   

If you are interested in volunteering to carry out litter picking to keep your adopted area clear of litter, please complete our adopt an area form.

Volunteering will not reduce the scheduled cleaning already undertaken by the Council.