Spotlight on #LitterHeroes Ambassador Chris Dunster

Our #LitterHeroes Ambassadors and regional programme group leaders go above and beyond to advocate for their local environment and engage their communities in litter-picking. Each month, we’ll shine a spotlight on one of our #LitterHeroes Ambassadors and regional programme group leaders. This month, we’re celebrating Chris Dunster BEM whose library-based litter-picking groups are ‘putting the lit into litter’.  

Already an active litter-picker, Chris’ first litter-picking group came about through a conversation with local librarian who suggested that she set up a group and base it out of the library. She suggested they name the group, the Olton Library Literary Litter Pickers. 

“I honestly didn’t think anyone else would want to litter-pick like I did.” Chris told us, “I advertised it on Facebook and said we were ‘putting the lit into litter’. The first month had a fairly decent response with about six people, and then the next month that doubled and we have been going strong every month since.”  

When one of the mums at a local school said she could only make a mid-week pick, Chris set up a second library group meeting out of Hobs Moat Library.  

“Eight years on and we are still meeting every month.” She said.  

They’ve also set up a library loan scheme, so that volunteers can collect litter-picking kit from local libraries across Solihull borough.  

“The idea was that people could go and sign out the litter picking equipment as they would a book.” Chris explained, “They could use the equipment for as little or as long as they wanted then return it when they had finished with it.” 

“The libraries also hold a supply of litter bags so when people run out they can just pop to their local library to pick up a supply.” 

Over the years, Chris has developed a strong relationship with her local council in Solihull, which began with Chris reaching out about needing a litter-picker. Solihull had recently set up their LoveSolihull scheme to support volunteers, and so they met to discuss how they could work together. The partnership has gone “from strength to strength.” 

“I set up a constituted group called ‘Talking Rubbish in Solihull’ so that we could, jointly with the Council, apply for funding to buy more equipment.” Chris said, “As more groups sprang up across the Borough we invited a Group Leader from each area to join Talking Rubbish.   We now have 9 Group Leaders and we invite guest speakers from across the Council to attend our meetings.” 

Together, they’ve had anti-littering messages put up on electronic roadside boards in the area, engaged local companies in litter-picking, run a successful Duke of Edinburgh awards volunteering programme to engage young people, and held joint events where volunteers, the council, and their contractors come together to tackle litter at once.  

“Blitzing an area like this has worked very well in some heavily littered areas of Solihull and has made a visible difference.” Chris told us.  

So what advice would Chris give to budding litter-picking group leaders?  

Firstly, she recommends forging a link with your local council: “Working hand-in-hand with the council will make your litter-picking role so much easier.” 

“To swell numbers, use social media, contact local companies regarding Social Value, and advertise in supermarkets on their community boards.”  

At Keep Britain Tidy, we want to thank Chris Dunster and her volunteer teams for the difference they are making to the environment in Solihull and beyond.  

#LitterHeroes Programme Manager Emily Parr said “Chris has undoubtedly gone above and beyond in her quest to not only clean up her local area, but to establish and galvanise collaboration between volunteers and the council. She works closely with fellow local #LitterHeroes Ambassadors and is fully deserving of the British Empire Medal she won for services to the community of Solihull.” 

Applications are currently closed for our #LitterHeroes Ambassador programme, but if you’re a litter-picker and you want to keep up-to-date, you can register as a #LitterHero. You’ll get the latest litter-picking news, campaigns and events, access to exclusive resources, and you’ll be the first to hear when applications to join our #LitterHeroes Ambassador programme open.