Spotlight on #LitterHeroes Ambassador Keith Hunt

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 shine a spotlight on one of our #LitterHeroes Ambassadors and regional programme group leaders. This month, we’re celebrating Keith Hunt, whose lifelong commitment to keeping the coastline of Somerset clean has inspired many others to take action. 

Keith’s litter-picking adventures began as a young boy growing up near the sea. 

“I spent lots of my time with friends playing on Dunster Beach. We would find various things washed in on the tide and wondered where in the world it had come from,” Keith shared. “In 1971, I read an article in my comic by Keep Britain Tidy about doing a survey to record, count and remove litter from a 200 yard section of beach. The owners of the beach offered me some pocket money to do it on a regular basis over the summer holidays. 

“I still walk that patch most days beach cleaning on my five-mile walk from Blue Anchor to Minehead on the Bristol Channel coast in Somerset.” 

Over the years, Keith has amassed quite a collection of vintage litter, some dating as far back as the 1960s.  

“I have found various very old pieces of litter in the countryside which is mainly glass bottles from the 1960’s (which were returnable for a deposit paid - great for pocket money!)" Keith explained.  

But it’s not just glass litter that lasts. “I regularly find plastic packaging dating back as far as the 1960s. I have a couple of ‘ice pop’ packets showing a pre-decimal price of 2d (1p in decimal), along with packaging from packets of peas, washing up liquid etc., all pre-decimal."   

But Keith's strangest litter-pick find came on a countryside walk in Exmoor National Park.  

“I had a walk along the edge and spotted a carrier bag covered in moss so I reached in with my litter picker and got it out. On looking inside the wrapped up bag, I found an UZI gun!”  

Keith quickly contacted the police, who sent a police car from Taunton at high speed to collect it. “As it had been there for a very long time, they were unable to do any forensics but were grateful to me for finding it. It had probably been used in a crime, then somebody thought by throwing it where they did, it wouldn’t be found!” 

Keith has engaged many others in litter-picking throughout the years, including holidaymakers who have struck up conversations after spotting him on beach cleans, and students during his time working at a local school.  

“I ran eco clubs and going out litter picking was their favourite of all, especially if it was part of another subject connected with the beach. We always ended it with a beach clean. Parents tell me that whenever they go to the beach, their children insist on taking a bag to pick up litter. 

“I also helped Butlin’s Minehead introduce a Green Team who do various activities on site but go on to the beach for a beach clean which I try and support them when I can. I also provide them with a goodie bag from my shop for their monthly Green Team winner.” 

In 2023, Keith opened a shop called ‘Our Precious Earth’, which offers eco-friendly alternatives to plastic products.  

He told us: “One morning while doing a beach clean and seeing so much plastic packaging washed in on the tide, I had a ‘light bulb moment’. 

“In February 2023, I opened Our Precious Earth where people can ’Shop for the Planet’ which has gone down really well with the local area and also received lots of awards and recognition.” 

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Keith Hunt for his tireless efforts in keeping Somerset’s coastline clean and for inspiring others to do the same. 

#LitterHeroes Programme Manager Emily Parr said “By sharing the vintage treasures he has discovered whilst beach cleaning, Keith has brought litter-picking to life. His enthusiasm and his visible enjoyment will have inspired so many others. There’s no doubt of Keith’s commitment to protecting the environment, as beach cleaning even inspired his business!” 

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.