Putting litter in its place this spring

Running until Sunday 29 March 2026, the campaign invites residents, community groups and local organisations to take part in organised or individual litter‑picking activities across the district. Litter‑picking remains one of the simplest and most immediate ways residents can make a positive and visible difference to the areas where they live, work and visit.

Throughout the campaign period, the District Council will promote opportunities for residents to get involved, including information on community litter‑picks and details on equipment the Council can provide to support local groups.

As part of the Council’s support for the Great British Spring Clean, an Action Day Spring Clean will take place in Newark town centre on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

The District Council’s Street Scene team will be out in force delivering a deep clean of the area, including:

• jet washing all town centre bins,
• jet washing street furniture,
• installing four new smoking “nub” bins,
• litter picking across the town centre,
• road sweeping using both the large and compact sweepers,
• chewing gum removal,
• a general tidy‑up of the full area,
• grass cutting, and
• fertilising all planter beds.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The Great British Spring Clean is a powerful example of how communities can unite to protect and improve our local environment. Our teams work hard all year round to keep Newark and Sherwood clean, but community involvement amplifies that effort enormously. Together, we can tackle the persistent litter that harms wildlife, affects how our neighbourhoods look and feel, and contributes to wider environmental damage. I would encourage everyone who can to take part and help make a real difference this spring.”

Residents taking part can also log their litter‑picking activities through Green Rewards to earn points towards monthly prizes.

As part of its wider work to keep the district clean, Newark and Sherwood District Council continues to take firm action against environmental crime. In 2024 - 2025, the Council investigated and took action in 1,645 fly‑tipping incidents, the highest number recorded across Nottinghamshire outside the City Council, and nearly 1,000 more than any other district.

The Council also issued the most warning letters and Fixed Penalty Notices for fly‑tipping outside of the City Council area, reaffirming its commitment to enforcement.

Councillor Paul Taylor continued: “Our fly‑tipping figures reflect the District Council’s firm stance on environmental crime. When individuals choose to dump waste illegally, they are making a conscious decision to disregard the law and the wellbeing of our communities. That is why we continue to take a firm, evidence‑led approach to enforcement: pursuing offenders, issuing penalties where appropriate, and taking cases through the courts when necessary. Residents deserve to know that those who choose to blight our district will be held accountable, and we remain fully committed to ensuring that happens.”

The District Council continues to offer year‑round support to any school, parish council, community group or individual wishing to organise a voluntary litter‑pick, including equipment loan and collection of bagged waste. More information on local community litter‑picks is available at: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communitylitterpicking/

More information about the Great British Spring Clean can be found at: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean