This March, Colchester City Council is inviting you to take part in the Great British Spring Clean. It’s a chance to help protect the places you care about, from your street to your favourite park.
Running from 13-29 March, the national campaign led by Keep Britain Tidy brings people together to make a difference in their neighbourhoods. Whether you pick up one bag of litter or organise a group effort, your actions will help keep Colchester cleaner, greener, and a place we’re all proud to call home.
How you can get involved
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to take part. If you’d like to join in, the council can provide:
- Free litter pickers
- Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean bags
- Support for community groups organising events
Residents can email community.volunteers@colchester.gov.uk to let us know what you need.
Why your efforts matter
Every small action makes a big difference. Last year, volunteers across the country collected more than 462,000 bags of litter, and 95% said they felt they’d improved their local area. By taking part here in Colchester, you’ll be helping to:
- Keep streets, parks and open spaces safer and cleaner
- Reduce harm to local wildlife
- Connect with neighbours and community groups
- Create welcoming spaces for everyone
You don’t need to join an event or group, even a ten‑minute litter pick on your street helps. You can make your Great British Spring Clean pledge here.
Tell us about your litter pick
If you take part between 13–20 March, please complete our short survey after each litter pick. It helps us recognise your efforts and understand which areas might need more support.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “Thank you to every resident planning to take part. When you choose to pick up litter - even one bag - you’re helping to keep our streets and green spaces clean, safe and welcoming. Your actions make a difference, and we’re here to support you however we can.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden‑Newton OBE, added: “We’re grateful for Colchester’s support. The Great British Spring Clean is a wonderful opportunity for residents to come together and protect the places they love, while taking meaningful action for the environment.”
Get involved
- Request equipment by emailing: community.volunteers@colchester.gov.uk
- Make your pledge here
If you’d like to keep taking action beyond the Spring Clean, you can join our Litter Warriors programme. We’ll provide free equipment and collect your filled bags, so you can help keep your street or favourite park tidy all year round. Find out more here.