OVER the two weeks of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean (GBSC) campaign last month, Warrington’s Litter Volunteers completed 24 public team events and many more solo picks, creating a new record.
Warrington’s previous GBSC record of 1,170 bags (from 2025) was smashed with a massive 1,571 bags. This is an increase of 34% on last year’s record.
Warrington Litter Volunteers (WLV)includes all of Warrington’s volunteer litter teams. In 2025, they were honoured to be awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
This year’s campaign again focused on trails, parks and hotspots and was based on multiple teams working together.
The Parks including Orford Park twice, Victoria Park, Brickfield Park, Black Bear Park, Westy Park and Longford Pool Park.
The trails included Sankey Valley Park from St Helens Border to Gatewarth, and the Trans Pennine Trail from Heatley Bollin in Lymm to Spike Island in Widnes.
Litter heroes Ambassador Tony Dixon stated: “We had no huge showcase events for this year’s Great British Spring Clean but we focused on team picks with up to 20 volunteers. This worked more effectively. During GBSC, we achieved three “centuries” (over 100 bags in a single day) and one “double century much more efficiently. The total bag count speaks for itself.”
He said the volunteers’ drive and motivation has been incredible. Solo pickers picked over 50% of the GBSC total. The local movement continues to grow, and there are now almost 4,000 members of litter networks and litter teams in Warrington Borough. There are 55 trained volunteers with leadership potential. In January, there were 10 teams and there will soon be 13 teams.
Volunteer Bob Towers added, “During GBSC we have grown and broadened our team volunteer base with 30 new volunteers, support from Wolves PDRL Team, New Routes Litter Team and Warrington’s Hong Kong Community. In addition, 200 primary school children and scouts experienced litter picking.”
James Coates from Litter Networks continued, “The ‘Warrington Litter Network’ of 24 ward-based Facebook Groups has existed since October 2020. With the addition of the award-winning ‘Warrington Litter Volunteers’ it has been an absolute pleasure to witness a plethora of ‘Litter Teams’ from across the town come together to deliver Warrington’s Great British Spring Clean 2026 with such an outstanding bag count being achieved.”
WLV Team Leader Jill Dance added, “WLV continues to be a powerful force for good as new teams grow across the town Our streets deserve to shine and be given the TLC they deserve.”
Many volunteers find litter picking to be an incredibly mindful and, a helpful recharge – for physical and mental wellbeing. Once people experience this, they do tend to engage and stay with their chosen team.
Tony added: “We would like to thank our Mayor, Cllr. Mo Hussain for his strong and practical support in 2025-2026. We have a close working relationship with WBC, particularly Ian Brackenbury, which we value very highly.
“WLV Teams are also grateful for the support for kit from Parish Councils (Appleton, Stockton Heath, Grappenhall & Thelwall), Warrington Voluntary Action and Co-op Community Fund.”
WLV have recycled 430,000 Aluminium cans (6 tonnes) since July 2023. In 2024, they began donating cans to the Novelis charity: 174,000 cans (2.5 tonnes) so far. In this way, WLV have helped raise over £8,500, which has helped support the Orford Veterans’ Hub charity.
Want to get involved?
You can join a litter team at any time of the year. It can be any network or team that suits you. If you meet them out picking, please say hello and you will be welcomed. Online, you can find more details at litternetworks.org which contains Warrington’s 24 local litter network Facebook pages. If you Facebook Message the authors of posts, you will be able to join a future pick.
Litter picking can be a fun occasion
