Litter picking is a vital part of our conservation work. Although reduced in recent years, it still takes many hours and the work of not only staff, but many volunteers.  Some join us every year for our annual clean-up-the-common and some go out weekly in the area near their home. Others litter pick each and every time they are out and about on the common. It really does make a difference.

There is currently no recycling from any of the bins in parks within our borough. If possible, please take recyclable waste home where it can be collected for recycling.

If you are interested in helping or would like to know more, please contact us.

Coming along to our big annual litter pick? Please find your instructions below:

• Please sign on before starting. Ideally, you’ll have registered for the event on Eventbrite, so we just need to tick your name off our list. If not, we’ll just need your name and contact details.
• Work in pairs.
• Only litter pick roadside verges if wearing hi-vis vests and it is safe to do so. Work in teams with one person looking out for traffic.
• Please use one bag for general litter and another one for recyclables. Bring your recyclables back to the base.
• Do not pick up any sharps (broken glass, needles etc), hazardous waste or heavy objects, but let us know where you found them.
• Full litter bags can be tied up and left by the roadside, we will collect them later. Please leave them somewhere we can stop to pick them up easily.
• Please do not approach tents you see in the woods as these could be active rough sleeper camps. Please let us know about any tents you find. We work with the council and Spear to try and resolve these cases sympathetically.
• Do not pick up any sharps (broken glass, needles etc), hazardous waste or heavy objects, but let us know where you found them.
• Let us know if you see any graffiti or vandalism. We will call in the graffiti team who have got the best equipment to clear this.
• Once you are finished, please bring your equipment and any recyclables you collected back to base.

Our annual litter pick is organised around two bases, at Vine Road and at Barn Elms car park (Rocks Lane). Any issues or questions during the litter pick, please call your base coordinator:
Mike Hildesley, coordinator at Rocks Lane: 07720 385 753
Myszka Guzkowska, coordinator at Vine Road: 07527 401 853

Map for the annual litter pick with areas for each group:

Not a member of Barnes Common yet? Why not join us and support all of our activities? Find more information and join at http://barnescommon.org.uk/membership