Join the city wide clean up for the Great British Spring Clean

From Friday 21 March to Sunday 6 April, the City Council is encouraging residents to help make a difference by joining one of the many clean ups taking place across Sunderland's green spaces, footpaths, parks and beaches as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

Organised litter picks are taking place across Sunderland North, East, West, Coalfield and Washington. Taking part will not only help keep Sunderland tidy but also help protect the environment and wildlife.

The City Council is encouraging individuals, schools, local groups, and businesses to take part in these. Representatives from the council will be providing necessary equipment to support clean-ups and keep communities litter-free.

Councillor Lindsey Leonard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero at Sunderland City Council said: "It's fantastic to see so many people sign up to be involved with this year's Great British Spring Clean."

"We know most residents take pride in where they live and want to live in a clean and tidy city by disposing of their litter properly. It's a shame to see that there are some irresponsible people who are spoiling it for everyone else."

"While we will continue to crackdown littering and fly-tipping, these planned clean-ups are a brilliant way for residents to do their bit. I encourage everyone to pick up a bag and take part."

Sunderland City Council's robust approach to keeping the city litter free and clean for its residents, wildlife, and the environment has seen it issue more than 100 litter and fly-tipping fixed penalty notices in the last year.

For any residents wanting to do their bit to help clean up the city, joining an organised litter pick is a great way to tackle litter in Sunderland.

The Great British Spring Clean is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, a charity which encourages cities across the country to eliminate litter, end waste and improve their local beaches, parks, and streets. Over 31.6 million people in the UK said 'litter-free' streets would help them love where they live. As well as 72% of UK adults agreeing that seeing litter makes them less proud of their neighbourhood.

Keep Britain Tidy's Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: "We are so grateful for the game-changing support from Sunderland City Council."

"The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for councils to support residents to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded people, while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep."

"During this year's campaign, we are highlighting that the environment belongs to everyone, and that everyone is welcome to join in with our activities and celebrate the 10th Great British Spring Clean."

"We are humbled to see our army of #LitterHeroes volunteers carrying out these acts of kindness to make the planet a cleaner, safer place for our future generations." 

Any residents looking to do their bit can visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/great-british-spring-clean-2025 for more information about clean ups across the city.

Anyone who wants to get involved and organise their own litter pick and find out more can visit: www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean and using the hashtags #GBSpringClean #LoveWhereYouLive