Why litter picks?
Litter picks and beach cleans are great ways to care for our local area and wildlife. We have been hosting and supporting litter picking events ever since Transition began in St Andrews. They take place on the beaches, waterways and just about anywhere in St Andrews where someone wants to do a clean-up.
Loan our litter picking kit for free via Tool Share to run your own. The litter kit is the only Tool Share item you can loan using a Bike Pool Membership, which won’t cost you.
Click here to see the kit.
Reducing beach litter through time
2024/25 Campaign
Throughout this year, we have focused on engaging local community groups, businesses and the University with beach litter. This has involved beach cleans and surveys as a means to bring together different groups around a common issue. Our recent beach cleans have seen participants or collaborations from: The Scottish Oceans Institute, McMaughlin Construction, The R&A, St Andrews Marine Society and the Cheesy Toastie Shack.
We are concentrating on education and behavioural change, using engagement and education to reduce student beach litter. Some of the main concerns were student tradition, beach bonfires and street litter blown to the coastline. We have been contacting key groups involved with these sources to identify behaviours that may contribute to them and to propose methods to tackle beach litter.
Signage 2025
One of the conclusions was to develop beach litter signage in visible areas. You can review and give feedback on the current designs here. Very few people intentionally litter, more so carelessly or ‘politely’ litter, losing perspective or placing waste in a sheltered area, hoping it will be collected later. These signs will aim to be a reminder of the consequences of littering, hopefully providing a small nudge to those reading it.
Surveys 2025
To build on the impact recording of last year, we have been using survey sheets with common litter types that volunteers can tally while collecting litter. This gives us a clearer picture of the main problem areas and how best to address them.
You can view and download the survey sheet template for your own use here.
Litter Calendar 2025
With so many groups running litter picks and beach cleans, one of our aims across the summer of 2025 has been to coordinate these events to prevent overlap and keep our beaches as clean as possible. You can find the calendar here when planning your own beach clean using our loanable litter picks.
2022/23 Impact
This academic year we are putting more attention to recording the impact of litter picks all over town. There are plenty of individuals and groups running events but no one putting all the figures together. Here are the numbers from the events we are involved in or made aware about.
Join this Teams group to record your numbers, share events and find support in running your own event: Litter Picks St Andrews
Litter Picks Gallery
Thanks to all who have shared photos with us including Plastic Free St Andrews, Surfers Against Sewage and the St Andrews Environmental Network.
