Communities across Wiltshire have come together in remarkable numbers to support this year’s Great British Spring Clean, the national clean-up campaign led by Keep Britain Tidy.

From 13–29 March, hundreds of residents, schools, parish councils and volunteer groups rolled up their sleeves to help keep the county clean, green and beautiful.

The Great British Spring Clean supports Wiltshire Council’s long‑standing Don’t Mess with Wiltshire campaign, which highlights the vital role everyone plays in keeping our county clean – from disposing of litter responsibly to protecting local wildlife and ensuring our towns and countryside remain welcoming places for all.

Throughout the fortnight, volunteer groups from towns and villages including Tidworth, Trowbridge, Malmesbury, Cricklade, Poulshot, Rushall, Warminster, Zeals, Hullavington, Latton and Baydon hosted local litter picks – with many reporting their highest-ever turnouts.

• 74 community litter picks were held across the county, with hundreds of volunteers taking part
• 956 bags of rubbish were removed from streets, parks and green spaces, weighing an incredible 5,736kg
• Significant items were recovered, including tyres, car parts, traffic cones and other fly-tipped waste

In Tidworth, more than 100 volunteers joined Tidworth Town Council’s event, collecting 85 bags of litter. In Cricklade, 12 teams – including Rugby Tots children – gathered more than 100 bags across the town. Malmesbury volunteers cleared five miles of roads and hedgerows in just 90 minutes, while Zeals Parish Council collected 22 bags, four tyres and a lorry mudguard. In Warminster, one participant summed up the positive experience, saying: “It is such a rewarding thing to do on a beautiful morning.”

Local families also played their part. One group of neighbours from Trowbridge, including six children, collected five bags, a bike, a traffic cone, a plant pot, and a long strip of plastic waste while cleaning the cycle paths they use daily. They said they wanted to protect the squirrels, foxes, birds and badgers that use the area.

Wiltshire schools also took part in the Great Big School Clean, helping pupils learn about environmental responsibility while improving their school grounds and local areas. Several schools additionally signed up to Wiltshire’s Biodiversity Champions initiative, strengthening the link between litter prevention and nature recovery.

The council’s environment partner idverde supported the campaign by providing bags and equipment, collecting rubbish and assisting community groups throughout the county.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of the hard work, community spirit and passion shown by residents during this year’s Great British Spring Clean. The dedication from volunteers, schools, parish councils and families has been exceptional and I want to thank every single person who took part. Whether you filled one bag or many, your efforts have helped keep Wiltshire clean, green and beautiful.

“I’d also like to thank idverde for their ongoing support – both with this campaign and throughout the year – as they help us manage litter collection across the county, including on our major routes and rural verges.

“But this effort doesn’t end with the Great British Spring Clean. Littering is an issue all year round, and we all have a responsibility to dispose of our waste properly. Through our long running Don’t Mess with Wiltshire campaign, we continue to remind everyone that keeping our county beautiful is a shared responsibility. Your fantastic work this spring has set a brilliant example, and we encourage everyone to keep that momentum going throughout the year.”

In total during March, including the Great British Spring Clean collections, Wiltshire saw 94 community litter picks, collecting 1,160 bags of rubbish weighing 9,606kg.

idverde’s Community Engagement Manager, Paul Ashman, commented: “We’re proud to support this national campaign and the fantastic work already being done by our local litter picking groups and volunteers. I am immensely proud of the success we all have achieved this year and the positive impact it has had on our communities.”

Residents wishing to continue litter-picking throughout the year can find guidance, support and information on equipment at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/litter