A blog from Eltham resident Simon Tee
Simon and his wife have been volunteering to pick up litter in their part of Eltham for many years. Starting as part of a Greenwich Council Environment Champions programme, Simon explains why he cleans up rubbish from our streets despite the decreasing support from Greenwich Council.
In a world and community dealing with environmental challenges, litter picking might seem like a small act—but its impact is anything but. Whether you’re strolling through your local park or joining a community clean-up, picking up litter is a powerful way to protect the planet, uplift your neighbourhood, and even boost your own wellbeing when knowing you are doing something good and beneficial to the community you live in.
So why litter pick? Firstly, it protects Wildlife and Ecosystems in around Eltham and our neighbourhood we live in. Discarded plastic, wrappers, bottles, canisters, and other waste harm the natural habitats we all live in our Neighbourhood. Animals often mistake litter for food, leading to injury or death. Sharp objects or entangling materials can trap or harm wildlife.
I care about Eltham and the neighbourhoods I have lived in for all my life. Through litter picking I hope seeing clean streets and spaces makes you feel, like I do, that our neighbourhood feels cared for and welcoming to all. Through keeping our streets clear of litter, I hope it attracts more people to Eltham and boosts local pride in all that Eltham can offer. I also hope in seeing clean and litter free spaces, we all feel safer, and our neighbourhoods are more enjoyable for others to enjoy as well. Litter picking benefits both local communities and individuals.
If, like me, you monitor through your phone or watch, the number of steps you take each day, walking and bending while picking up rubbish provides gentle exercise and certainly does make though steps stack up. I know, through personnel experience, being outdoors reduces stress and anxiety and helps improve your mood. There has been a lot within the press and online over the last year of the importance of building communities and ensure within a community people feel connected to that community. Litter picking is a fantastic way to meet people who care about the same things you do. You might start out picking up litter and end up making lifelong friends.
But why are we seeing an increase for litter that is being left within our communities. With local government budgets being squeezed, I feel that the desire to spend money in keeping our communities and neighbourhoods clean and tidy is not a priority for them. So, the weight of keeping our communities and neighbourhoods clean and tidy, for the benefit of all, falls on our shoulders.
When people see others picking up litter, it sends a powerful message. It encourages others to think about how, if out, they dispose of their rubbish / Litter. In undertaking this community role, it highlights the need to local council for better waste management and to inform those in power locally that we all care for the communities and neighbourhoods we live in. It highlights the need for better waste management and recycling. It sends a message to Local Government / Council in that litter picking and the causes of such can be addressed better. Our actions speak louder than words—and they might just spark a ripple effect. So, litter picking is not glamorous, but it is deeply meaningful. It is a quiet rebellion against apathy, a firsthand way to heal our communities and neighbourhoods, and a reminder that small actions matter. Whether you do it solo or with a group, once you start, you will see the world a little differently—and you will be part of making where we live better.
Grab a bag, wear gloves, and get started. The communities and neighbourhoods that we walk, talk, and live within will thank you for that.
If you would like to follow in Simon’s footsteps please sign up to be an Environment Champions with Greenwich Council at https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/check-when-we-clean-streets-or-request-road-safety-improvements-4.