In addition to co-ordinating annual Spring Cleans, we encourage community groups to carry out litter picks at other times of the year – and recognise that some prefer to clean up at other times of the year.  Outlined below are some guidelines and suggestions to help you organise a litter pick at times other than OxClean Spring Cleans.

The more people that we know are carrying out litter picks the stronger our voice when campaigning for a cleaner Oxford. So please complete our Year Round Registration.

Organising a Community Litter Pick

The Big Tidy Up website -thebigtidyup.org– has lots of useful advice and tips about planning a litter pick.  Importantly, it has guidelines about Health & Safety issues.  We strongly recommend visiting this site.

An A5 leaflet/poster aimed at recruiting Volunteers is available to download –

display this on local notice boards a few weeks beforehand and/or put through letter boxes in your patch.

Download a Keep It Safe A5 leaflet to give to each volunteer when they enlist.

A short, face to face briefing of your volunteers is recommended which covers health & safety issues (nb glass/sharp objects in boxes not sacks), what not to pick (see below) and how to contact you to report dangerous items or for any other reason. Download a Sign In sheet for volunteers to confirm that they have been briefed.

Needles, syringes, hazardous waste should not be picked – report immediately to the City Council using their help line 01865 249811and selecting the Street Scene & Emergency options. Fly-tipped items e.g. furniture, fridges, builder’s rubble should also not be picked - report details using the Council’s Report It facility or e-mail streetscene@oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 249811 during office hours.

After your litter pick, it is a good idea to let your neighbours and passersby know what you’ve done.  We will supply two laminated and personalised Just Cleaned Cleaned signs to everyone registered with us  – download extra copies if you need them.   These are for prominent display at the site of your litter pick and should be removed it after two weeks.

Litter Pickers, Hi Vis Waistcoats

We have a stock of litter pickers and some OxClean Hi Vis waistcoats that we lend to Oxford - based community groups whenever they want them.

For requests and enquiries, please complete our Year Round Registration

or email info@oxclean.org.uk

Sacks &  Litter Collection

Oxford City Council is keen to support groups. They will supply empty sacks and pick up filled ones. Visit www.oxford.gov.uk to make a request - or call  01865 249811