Wiltshire Council advises against organised litter picks during lockdown restrictions

Wiltshire Council is asking community groups to avoid holding organised litter picks in the county during the current lockdown restrictions.

Current Government restrictions state that people must stay at home and only take exercise once a day with up to one other person from outside of their household, and as such organised litter picks are not currently permitted.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Waste, said: "We recognise the valuable contribution our communities make to keeping our environment tidy and litter free, and in normal times we actively encourage groups to pick up litter in Wiltshire.

"However, at present, the safety of our residents is of paramount importance, so we must ask that people do not hold organised litter picks, until such time as Government restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.

"If members of our communities wish to pick litter while undertaking their daily exercise, they should do this in a COVID-safe way, ensuring they are adhering to Government restrictions at all times.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who pick litter in Wiltshire as they do a great job to help keep our beautiful county tidy - but please, at the moment, stay home, protect the NHS and save lives."

Where people have already picked litter, they should dispose of it in a public litter bin, but if the bin is full, they should leave the tied bag beside the public litter bin and crews will remove the bags on their regular collection rounds. People can also dispose of waste using their household waste and recycling facilities, but they should not leave extra bags next to household waste bins, as these will not be collected by crews.