As the tenth annual Great British Spring Clean campaign approaches, running from March 21 to April 6, 2025, Keep Britain Tidy is highlighting the campaign’s impact over the past decade with regional case studies, survey statistics on public attitudes toward litter, and insights from charity leaders, sponsors, and partners.
The Great British Spring Clean has been the UK’s largest mass-action environmental campaign since 2016, being run by the national environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy. Operating under the assumption that the environment belongs to everyone, the charity ensures that every one participants involved within the campaign are feel welcomed and valued no matter background.
This commitment has mobilised tens of millions of ‘Litter Heroes’, including members of religion groups, local communities, schools, businesses, and native authorities, all working together to combat litter pollution.
With an estimated 30 million tonnes of litter dropped annually across the UK, the associated fee of clean-up reaches £1 billion every year. Beyond economic costs, litter also harms wildlife and pollutes ecosystems. The Great British Spring Clean is tackling this issue head-on, with volunteers pledging to gather over 4 million bags of rubbish – corresponding to greater than half 1,000,000 wheelie bins. In 2024 alone, over 425,000 bags of harmful waste were cleared from streets, parks, and beaches, making a tangible environmental impact.
An online YouGov survey commissioned by Keep Britain Tidy reveals that two thirds of UK adults love their local area, yet 72% feel less proud after they see litter.
The survey of over 2,000 UK adults also found that 84% show their love for his or her community by not littering; 15% actively take part in litter-picking; and 16% volunteer in local clean-up initiatives.
The emotional response to litter can be significant with over two thirds (69%) feel disillusioned after they see litter; 43% feeling offended; nearly half (45%) feeling sad and over 1 / 4 (27%) saying they’re embarrassed.
Additionally, a fifth of respondents stated they’d ‘called out’ littering behaviour and urged others to not litter. More than half of the adults agree that litter-free parks and beaches (54%) and cleaner streets (59%) would enhance their appreciation for his or her surroundings.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said, “We know there is a problem – but we also know that peoplepower is a component of the answer.”
“Each yr, the Great British Spring Clean’s unbelievable and dedicated #LitterHeroes take positive motion to tackle litter and show they love where they live.”
“This growing culture of small individual actions has led to an infinite impact, with greater than 4 million bags pledged by our volunteers since 2016. Thank you to everyone who has been involved.”
Keep Britain Tidy is encouraging faith groups, communities, schools, businesses, and native authorities to unite in showing that they love where they live by pledging to select a bag or more to scrub up the country’s streets, parks and beaches. More information will be found at keepbritaintidy.org
