Find out more about litter picking

Litter Picking Information

Litter picks can be fun and a great way to get out into the fresh air, meet new people and help protect Scotland’s countryside. Lending a hand to litter picking in Scotland carries more weight than you might think. Not only are you making a difference to your surroundings you could burn extra calories, boost your mood, and even reduce stress.

We have listed a couple of ways to get started, but we there are more groups and organisations listed below, and if you need more inspiration … read on!

Keep Scotland Beautiful has produced an interactive map showing organised litter picks, that have been submitted. If you are looking for information on a beach clean, we’d recommend starting with this Marine Conservation Society page.

If you are short on time, just 2 minutes can make a difference.

The 2 Minute Foundation has stations around the UK allowing you to take part in a mini-litter-pick, street clean or beach clean. Find out more and where your nearest station is, so you can stop by.

Join our litter survey

We are seeking litter picking volunteers to gather land litter data for the Source to Sea survey – in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society

Help us gather litter data across our Scottish countryside to support campaigns to reduce litter and waste. Whether it be to make better use of materials we waste in Scotland through a scheme such as deposit return (920 million drinks bottles and cans littered, discarded in landfill or incinerated in 2019 in Scotland) or supporting bans on single-use items found discarded across our streets and countryside e.g. disposable vapes.

Land litter data can help support circular economy initiatives that can really have an impact on litter and the environment.

This is in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society whose Source to Sea Litter Survey Form we are using.

How do I take part?

APRS is looking for volunteers who can visit their local area where they already clean or have always wanted to clean e.g. town, village, city, park, river, office grounds, school grounds, street, countryside path.

Volunteers will be asked to submit their data online at the Marine Conservation Society’s Source to Sea Litter Survey where you will also find risk assessments and forms to download.

If you would like a form emailed to you or have any questions, please contact info@aprs.scot

Let us know if you are gathering litter data, what you have found and do share any photos. Here are some of our other litterpickers out and about taking action below! Don’t forget to share your efforts on social media using the hashtag #loveyourcountryside and tag us too @APRScotland