‘At HBC for Life, we believe that creating a healthier future begins with small acts of responsibility, compassion, and community spirit. This thoughtful piece, written by my (Suz’s) daughter as part of her Duke of Edinburgh volunteering experience, captures the importance of caring for our environment. Her reflections remind us that environmental stewardship is not just about protecting nature, but also about building character, resilience, and a sense of purpose in young people. We are proud to share her perspective as an example of how the next generation is already leading by action and encouraging positive change within our communities.’
When asked what I wanted to do for D of E Volunteering I said litter picking.
Only when my friend and I did it did I realise that some people find it ‘gross’ (her opinion has long since changed and, to clarify, it was the rubbish she found gross not litter picking itself). Now, this took me by surprise as I’d always enjoyed scavenging bits of cars and Monster cans from the side of the road or stomping through brambles to collect a crisp packet. And, part of it is a little bit gross but at the same time it’s fun! Before you call me insane, let me elaborate.
Firstly, you walk whilst you litter pick. Walking is fun because you get to experience the great outdoors and get active in a way that is easy going and gradual. It’s both good for you and your mental health and you are able to enjoy nature whilst you’re at it. Also, you could argue it’s barely walking because you have to stop all the time.
Secondly, with friends, it’s all the funner! Friends have this amazing ability where they can turn even the most boring of chores into something worth enjoying. Nothing is better than watching two of your friends fight over the tiniest piece of plastic like two seagulls over a chip – or being the one doing the fighting. Or trotting back to your Dear Mother with three pieces of plastic in the grips of your litter picker like a proud golden retriever to chuck it in a plastic bag that is lumpy with your finds.
Another thing, we have this contraption called a bin ring (or something like that), it’s very handy. If you’re thinking of litter picking or do it already I highly recommend you get yourself one, it holds the bag open for you so you don’t have to with clips that clip the top of the bag to a wide ring – it’s exactly what it sounds like. Get it.
Thirdly, it’s an adventure! Okay, so this might be similar to my first point (with it being a chance to be active) but it’s practically like a treasure hunt. As they say, one man’s rubbish is another’s treasure.
Whether it’s delving into ditches, climbing over trees or digging to release bottle caps or half a crisp packet litter picking makes you look and then think “How can I get to this beer can?” Or “What’s the best way to pick up this bottle?”
The fourth and final reason – the sense of achievement. Many drivers and bikers have thanked us on our outings and once we got free smoothies for our efforts! You have no idea the amount of pride you feel after filling up nearly two or so bags of litter and knowing you did that and that the environment is just the tiniest bit cleaner now.
However, some of the cons would be:
A) Being screamed at to get off the road by your mother
B) Too much litter! (run out of space in your bin bag/bin bag starts ripping)
C) The fact that, at least for me, I seem to be destroying nature as I save it (I’ve trampled over a lot of plants, and I mean A LOT)
Overall, it’s been a great experience so far. Whilst I hate the fact that there’s litter to pick up in the first place (you can’t imagine the amount of disappointment that arises when there’s litter not even a meter from a bin), I also love the risks of venturing through the undergrowth or leaning over the side of the road for litter. And shout-out to the time me and my friend found a really wet sopping nappy in a car park once, not fun, the tampon wasn’t very fun either but the singular football shoe we threw away was!
So, I guess what I would like you to take from this is that litter picking isn’t bad and can be good and to please just not litter in the first place. Those bottles and packages can be used for crafts and recycling, making new things that you will benefit from. You can hold on to the drinks can you’ve finished for just a little bit longer, keep it in your car until you get home – don’t risk animal lives.
Don’t be that person who does things at the expense of other people, who doesn’t take time to think upon their actions. The environment is already dying and struggling with all that is happening in the world – it doesn’t need you contributing to it. One piece of litter may not matter in the grand scheme of things, until it’s a million more people sharing the same mindset and then suddenly it becomes something very big and very serious and it’s my generation who will have to deal with it all.
Hopefully a new generation of people will bring a more open-minded, different way of thinking. And with that, hope and care for our future, change, no matter how slow, will happen so that younger and older people alike can work together to understand the importance of our environment. Experiences such as D of E teach you more than you may know.
