Adopt an Area

You choose how often you want to litter pick and what area you want to 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 are already doing regular litter picks, 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 scheme, please get in touch via the form below.

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 litter collection sacks and hi-vis vests, 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 do not place picked vapes or batteries in any of your bins, these must be taken 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 below on how to litter pick safely:

• 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 pick discarded vapes and/or batteries please do not place these in any of your collection bins or bags. They must be taken to designated collection points (e.g. at larger supermarkets) as they pose a fire risk when collected by our crews. 
   

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.