Keep Wales Tidy

Led by Keep Wales Tidy, Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) aims to inspire everyone to take action and care for the environment. The charity is calling on you to take responsibility for the litter and waste you produce, in a drive to create a cleaner, safer Wales.

Show your love for Wales with Keep Wales Tidy

A leading environmental charity’s biggest ever initiative to eradicate litter and waste, needs you.  

Why does it matter?

Litter has significant and far-reaching impacts on communities. Research shows that when an area is uncared for, it makes people feel unsafe, it affects social cohesion, the sense of pride in the community, stifles economic growth and tourism, and spoils people’s enjoyment of nature. While Keep Wales Tidy is renowned for working with an army of volunteers to pick up litter, Caru Cymru doesn’t just focus on cleaning up, but on stopping litter from happening in the first place.

The vision is that it will become second nature for everybody to do the right thing, from taking litter home and cleaning up after their dog, recycling ‘on-the-go’, reusing and repairing. Keep Wales Tidy’s new Chief Executive, Owen Derbyshire said: “Everyone in Wales has a part to play in eradicating litter and waste which can cause so much damage to our communities and to our beautiful natural environment.” “I’m proud to be part of an initiative which brings people together, and provides the tools, expertise and support needed to make a positive difference. People are at the heart of Caru Cymru; it’s not an exclusive club – everyone can join in.”

Five ways you can be part of the #CaruCymru movement

1. Download free resources

Since Caru Cymru launched in spring 2021, Keep Wales has been working with every council in Wales to deliver campaigns targeting some of the country’s most common litter issues, including dog poo, roadside litter, single-use cups and cigarette ends. Help spread the word in your local area. Visit Keep Wales Tidy’s ‘campaign toolkit’ to edit and download free posters, signs, and social media graphics.

2. Visit a Litter Picking Hub Fancy looking after your local area but don’t have the right kit?

You can borrow free kit from a Litter Picking Hub. There are nearly 200 Hubs across the country which offer all the equipment you need to carry out a safe clean-up. This includes litter pickers, hi-vis vests, rubbish bags and hoops (essential for keeping your bags open in breezy conditions!).

3. Set up a new community group.

If you’re looking to carry out regular clean-ups or care for a green space with your friends or neighbours, then Keep Wales Tidy recommends setting up a formal community group. You’ll be joining a network of other passionate and inspiring groups doing amazing work in their local areas. Keep Wales Tidy has project officers based all over Wales who can provide advice to anyone looking to set up a group and work independently. There’s even a community group insurance scheme which is completely free for up to twelve months.

4. Sign up to be a Litter Free Zone.

Keep Wales Tidy is reaching out to businesses across the country, encouraging them to adopt areas to clean up on a regular basis. Businesses of all shapes and sizes have already signed up, including hairdressers, restaurants, supermarkets and private offices. Adopting a Litter Free Zone signals to your customers that you are a responsible business that takes the issue of littering seriously. Getting out and about as a team can also benefit staff well-being.

5. Commit to cutting your waste

Even small changes in behaviour can make a big difference to our environment. You can be part of Caru Cymru by simply reducing your use of disposable plastics, switching to reusables, recycling as much as possible, and visiting ‘repair cafes’. Businesses and organisations looking to make positive changes can access advice and resources on the Keep Wales Tidy website. Pledge your commitment to waste reduction using the simple online form and Keep Wales Tidy will help you celebrate your success with staff, clients and customers.

Images supplied by: Keep Wales Tidy