Keep the park clean and green – take litter home with you!

19 minutes ago
2 min read

Coot with nest with litter in it and chicks on tiop

Litter is countrywide issue that impacts how we think and feel about the places we’re visiting – it spoils landscapes, harms wildlife and can fuel wildfires.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Rubbish Reality report found that 90% of the places people visit are littered and 42% of people think parks and green space are the worst for littering. In fact, only 9 out of every 100 place they surveyed where actually litter free.

Overflowing dog poo bin with other waste in it

What is classes as litter?

Rubbish that hasn’t been disposed of properly – from sweet and crips wrappers to cigarette butts and dog poo! This also includes things ‘placed’ such rubbish bags left by dog poo bins, cups on benches and dog poo bags hung on trees.

What should I do with my rubbish in the park?

In the park, we follow the Countryside Code, which mean if you bring it to the park, you must take it home with you. You won’t find many refuse bins when you’re out and about – there are dog waste bins but these aren’t for general rubbish.

Bringing a picnic? Pack all your rubbish up and dispose of it at home
Walking your dog? Pick up after them and pop the bag into a dog waste bin when you come across one
Enjoying a coffee? You can take your cup to the shop to be recycled, use a reusable cup or if it’s rubbish take it home with you to dispose of

Super simple, your rubbish is your responsibly and we ask you to leave the park with no physical trace that you’ve been there. Taking your litter away with you is small action that makes a huge difference.

Volunteer litter picker with the bags of rubbish she has collected

What are we doing to combat littering?

In 2024-25:

Spent over £125,000 clearing rubbish
Over 52,115 bags of rubbish were clear from Lee Valley Regional Park

We would much rather spend this money and resource improving the park for both our visitor and the wildlife that calls it home – and we’re sure you would too!

Here is how you can do your bit to help:

Take everything you bring to the park home with you – super simple!
Encourage other to do the same – this is how we change how people think about rubbish
Educate children in your life on the importance of clearing up after themselves and caring for open spaces – great way to set up good habits for life
Volunteer on a litter pick – you can see how to sign up for our litter picks here or head on your own self led one