Nottingham Clean Champions is an informal volunteering scheme to support you to make small changes in your neighbourhood. We are mainly focused on litter picks but encourage you to report excessive rubbish or fly tips, so that together we can keep Nottingham a clean and tidy city. It is open to anyone living in the city, whether you are a resident, school, or business. If you would like to find out more about the scheme, please contact us at clean.champions@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or call 0115 8765752.

A Clean Champion volunteers to do litter picks. This can be on your own, with your family and friends or with other Clean Champions. Volunteering has so many benefits; not only do you get out in the fresh air, but you can also meet up with other Clean Champions, make new friends and feel good about your neighbourhood. You can help us make a difference to your neighbourhood too by providing feedback and getting involved in discussions about making improvements.

If you are aged 18 and over, please sign up by clicking on ‘Sign up to Nottingham Clean Champions’ and fill out a simple form. We look forward to welcoming you to the scheme!

If you are aged under 18, we ask that a parent or guardian signs up for your household and accompanies you on litter picks.

We also support Duke of Edinburgh volunteering. Please contact us at clean.champions@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to discuss.

We appreciate the hard work our Clean Champion volunteers do in keeping our city clean. Every year we hold a celebration event at the Council House to thank our volunteers, with great food and prizes. We hold quarterly zoom meetings so that we can discuss hot topics, as well as subscribe you to our monthly newsletter.

We have a private Facebook group where volunteers share their stories and experiences, and we’re on hand to answer any questions too. It’s a great place to interact and see what others are up to including Days of Action and funny finds.

You can also contact us via email at clean.champions@nottinghamcity.gov.uk where we hope to get back to you within 24 hours with your enquiry.

Anywhere within the City boundary - if you are not sure, please get in touch. Please consider any dangers from the area where picking. We do ask that you do not litter pick near busy roads, watercourses or in secluded or dark areas. Remember to let other know where you are and have the means to raise the alarm in an emergency.

No, you can litter pick at your own leisure; we do not expect you to follow any set schedule or requirements. Some champions volunteer every day, once a week or just once a month.

You will receive everything you need to do a litter pick. The pack contains gloves, a hi-vis tabard, purple bin bags and of course a litter pick.

This is so that we can recognise a clean champion has done a litter pick.

You can place an order for more bags or additional equipment on one of the links above – Order more purple bags/equipment

If you’re having trouble using the form, feel free to email us at clean.champions@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or call us on 0115 8765752.

We ask that you wear appropriate clothing for the weather. For example, if it is sunny, wear a hat and use sunscreen. Wear clothing to protect your arms and legs from any brambles or nettles and always wear sensible, closed footwear (not sandals, flip flops, heels).

You can pick up anything like cans, cigarettes, plastic bottles, plastic wrapper, plastic bags, cupboards, boxes, crisps packets, etc.

Some of this litter may look recyclable, but many of it is contaminated if it has been left out for too long and in certain weather conditions. This is fine to dispose of in a purple bag.

We ask that you do not pick up any hazardous waste which includes dog fouling, glass, or needles (or any sharp material), or suspected asbestos material.

Should you find a knife, call 101, which is a non-emergency police number. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We don’t give any particular training. However, we offer guidance to ensure you are safe. There is some guidance to read and accept when you sign up online.   

The best way to get in touch with other Clean Champions is via our private Facebook page (search ‘Nottingham Clean Champions) once you’ve signed up to the scheme. It’s also a great way to know about upcoming events where you can meet other volunteers that are local to you.

If you don’t have a Facebook account, don’t worry – we still advertise group picks in our monthly newsletter.

No, as this is a volunteering scheme. We don’t expect you to travel unnecessarily, and we provide all the equipment you need.

Yes! For bigger groups such as community groups, schools, colleges, tenants and residents associations, and businesses we can help by lending out equipment for specific events. Just sign up to become a volunteer, and we will be in touch.

For large litter picks or issues concerning the litter in your area, contact your Neighbourhood Services Manager.

Please click on the ‘Report your purple bags’ link above so that our frontline teams can come and collect the bags.

We would encourage everyone to report their purple bags so that we know exactly how much litter our volunteers help us collect. With our new online reporting form, you can now choose green spaces and locations better than before.

If you collect litter and put the purple bags in your domestic waste bin, we encourage you to report your purple bags (select ‘no’ for collection) for the reasons above.