Join the Great Big School Clean
We believe that teaching children and young people about litter is a crucial part of their environmental education journey and that every child has the right to live, play and learn in a clean and safe neighbourhood.
Last year, more than 265,000 pupils took part in the 2025 Great Big School Clean through their schools, and many other young people took part through events in their local communities.
Pledging for the Great Big School Clean 2026 will open on 13 February.
265,000 school pupils
From across the nation took part in 2025
Around 25,000 bags pledged
By schools, nurseries and colleges
13,062 educational settings
Took part during spring 2025
Whether you’re an early years setting, primary academy, high school or SEN school, we’ll support you with resources as you join the Great Big School Clean this spring.
Litter-picking is a great way to provide fresh air and exercise and contribute to the physical fitness and well-being of our young people. It also helps them to connect with nature and develop a sense of responsibility for their surroundings and community.
No one is too small to make a big difference.
If every child who attended school in the UK pledged to pick up just one bag of litter during the Great Big School Clean, we could remove a colossal 10.3 million bags of litter from our natural environment!
So, join the Great Big School Clean this spring, and help your young people show that they love where they live.
How to join the Great Big School Clean
Pledging opens 13 February 2026.
Let us know how many pupils will take part and how many bags they pledge to collect by clicking the pledge button below. You can start picking up any time from now until the end of term.
Once you’ve made your pledge, you’ll receive a digital pack of resources for teachers via e-mail, to help you activate the campaign in your school. The pack contains:
- A ‘how to’ litter-pick guide for schools
- Litter bingo
- Early years flashcards
- An assembly plan themed on litter
- Litter lesson ideas
- Thank you certificates for your young #LitterHeroes.
“In an average classroom, three young people will be suffering from a diagnosable mental health issue, yet we also know that young people who spend more time in natural environments, such as by participating in a litter-pick, and have more nature connectedness will have significantly better mental health.
Ormiston Academies Trust have been working with Keep Britain Tidy and Eco Schools since 2021. Making small environmental changes within our schools and communities can have a large, lasting impact for everyone.”
Rachel McCarthy, National Lead Practitioner, Ormiston Rachel McCarthy, Ormiston Academy Trust
Meet the young stars of our national campaign!
Pupils at Ormiston Academies Trust schools across the country are preparing for their Great Big School Clean.
We visited an enthusiastic group of pupils recently - and we were so impressed that some of them are starring in our nationwide Great Big School Clean advertising campaign!
You can learn more in our video below.