Keep Britain Tidy has the following recommendations for anyone taking part in a litter pick during 2020.

Litter-picking alone or in pairs

Before going out alone or in pairs, please remember:

Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups, displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litter-pick.

If you have equipment and wish to give it to other people for litter-picking, please follow these points:

• Please supply volunteers with litter-pickers and hi-vis vests. Ask volunteers to use their own gloves.
• We would recommend volunteers keep hold of this kit for the foreseeable future, rather than return it after each use so that only they use it.
• For distribution – please leave litter-pickers outside your property with a bottle of household anti-bacterial spray. We suggest giving out a small number so that you can keep track of them.
• Please ask volunteers to spray the handle of the litter-picker when they collect it and again if returned.
• Please share the Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs (below) with volunteers.

Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs

• Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups or displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litterpick.
• Tell someone where you are going and stay in mobile contact.
• Use your own gloves and a litter-picker. Clean both after use before storing.
• Wash hands before and after at home or nearby w/c facilities.
• Carry hand sanitiser if you have some.  
• Stay at least one metre from fellow volunteer and members of the public.
• Unless you have made an arrangement with your local council to collect your full rubbish bags, don’t pick any more than you can put in your own bin at home.
• Don’t pick up sharps/syringes.
• Litter should be tied up in strong waste sacks.

Small groups

A small group is defined as a maximum of six people (including the Group Leader). However, this number may increase or decrease over time – please follow changes to Government guidance.

• You will need to check that your local authority are currently able to collect your clean up’s litter. If they don’t have capacity to do this, please refer back “Litter-picking alone or in pairs” above.
• Directly invite volunteers to clean-ups so that you know exactly who will turn up and to keep numbers within limits set by Government guidance.
• As summer approaches, be aware that certain areas could be very busy so you may want to consider the timing of clean ups eg in the evening and avoiding weekend times.
• Be aware of any ‘pinchpoints’ with lots of people congregating. Keep social distancing and wash hands after touching shared surfaces.
• Observe social distancing, particularly at start and end of event when equipment being handed out/collected and during the safety briefing, which should be held outside.
• Provide hand sanitising or ask volunteers to bring their own.
• Signing in should be carried out by the group leader – completing a form themselves rather than sharing pen and paper.
• First Aid Treatment – please see current advice from St. John Ambulance https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/covid-19-advice-for-first-aiders/
• Any returned equipment should be sanitised at the end of each event.
• The group leader should make sure everyone has their own gloves and, ideally, bring spare clean gloves that people can take home.
• Share the guidance below with volunteers ahead of the clean-up.

Guidance for Volunteers working in small groups

• Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups or displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litter-pick.
• Bring your own gloves.
• Wash hands before and after at home or nearby w/c facilities.
• Carry hand sanitiser if you have access to some.  
• Stay at least one metre from fellow volunteers and members of the public.
• Don’t pick up sharps.
• Litter should be tied up in strong waste sacks.
• If taking a litterpicker home at the end of a clean-up, please sanitize before storing.