Making a real difference: How to build a community litter picking group

In this series of articles, we hear from resident, Aoife Hutton, who was tired of seeing litter on her street and started taking care of it herself. What started as a solo two-hour morning litter pick has evolved into a monthly Govanhill-wide litter picking group with community groups and residents. In this article, Hutton shares how the Govanhill Community Litter Pick started.

By Aoife Hutton | Photos by Iain McLellan

This isn’t an article about the council, nor is it entirely about rubbish. This is a story about people, a place, and taking a bit of proactive action.

If you’re reading this, you probably live in Govanhill, and you’ve likely noticed the litter, the overflowing bins, the fly-tipping. But you also probably know all the great things about this place: the shopkeepers who greet you with a familiar nod, the kindness of strangers, and this community’s resilience.

I moved to Govanhill about a year ago. In my late 20s, with most of my friends in that age group, I wanted to connect more with the area and feel a greater sense of community. If I’m honest, the persistent litter on my street was getting to me as well. Research shows that people’s local environment impacts their mental health and sense of place. I believe Govanhill deserves better.

One day I posted in a local Facebook group, saying I’d spend an hour or two on Saturday morning doing a litter pick. It wasn’t going to solve everything, but I felt motivated to take some practical action that day. Lots of people commented, showing support. We borrowed equipment from South Seeds – a few pickers and gloves.

That first time, just a few turned up: enter Karen and Gordon – who have been central to building Govanhill Community Litter Pick. What began as an informal meet-up soon began to take shape into something more organised. Passers-by would stop us, saying how great it was to see people caring for the area.

After a few months of smaller events, we aimed bigger. Yusuf at Al Farooq Mosque offered to host the Govanhill Spring Clean in March. Local businesses pitched in, and over 100 volunteers – young, old, new Scots, and long-time residents – came together. Yes, we picked up a lot of litter, but the real joy was in the sense of community. For hours afterward, we sat in the yard of Al Farooq, chatting and enjoying food together. The sunshine even made an appearance!

Now we organise a monthly litter pick, on the last Saturday of each month, hosted at Govanhill Free Church. There’s a role for everyone – from Mary, who makes teas and coffees for volunteers, to Dana, who leads our social media, and Christine, who dutifully takes cans and bottles to Lidl’s deposit return.

Govanhill Housing Association has been a big supporter of the group, sponsoring some equipment, and the Greater Govanhill magazine has hosted our monthly planning meetings. Glasgow City Council has provided the equipment for larger groups and arranged uplifts.

Our upcoming plans include more partnerships with local businesses, as well as working with local groups to boost engagement and volunteer opportunities – making our events more accessible.

The litter problem in this country is a complex mix of factors: a lack of regulation on packaging, inadequate bins or uplift schedules, pay and conditions of cleansing workers, as well as individual behaviours. 

It’s a difficult issue to tackle, especially in a time with many other priorities, but it shouldn’t be impossible. In the meantime, we’re doing our bit, spreading some neighbourly care on the last Saturday of each month. We’d love for you to join us.

Instagram / Facebook: @govanhill_litterpick or fill in this form: bit.ly/GHlitter