#GBSeptemberClean relaunched

Take Part in The Great British September Clean with Keep Britain Tidy
 
1. From Friday 11th – Sunday 27th September – sign up/get involved in the nationwide campaign to tackle the blight of litter after lockdown: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean
 
2. Embrace & recognise your local actions will making a positive difference to where you live – become an environmental ambassador for change – don’t forget to share you stories using the hashtag #GBSeptemberClean
 
3. Solo picking, and/or with your family and household members? Your actions will influence behavioural change – read the latest litter picking guidance here: https://www.hhenvironmental.co.uk/litterpicking-coronavirus-guidance/ or download the official guide: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/sites/default/files/resources/22202_GBSC20_Guide%20for%20Hosts%20FINAL.pdf
 
4. Enable safer litter collection in line with local waste streams, diverting from landfill (litter v DMR) support a circular economy #reuse #recycle #rethink
 
5. Collect & carry; separate & sort; smarter, safer and even more than ever before – check out our NEW Handicart Range and safer litter collection tools https://www.hhenvironmental.co.uk/product-range/bag-hoops-litter-carts/
#reuse #recycleonthego
 
Need a Helping Hand with your litter picking equipment?
We would always encourage you to speak to your local authority first, as some frontline services might loan or give out litter picking equipment in support of your clean up.
Prefer your own? Speak to our Helping Hand Team on 01531 635678 to access safer litter collection products, free volunteer litter picking guides and discounted volunteer order forms – dont’ forget to quote KBTGROUP – www.HHEnvironmental.co.uk/shop
 
 
 

#PlasticFreeJuly – Our Top Tips

As part of #plasticfreejuly campaign, Helping Hand Environmental been attempting to cut back on unnecessary single use plastics.

So, how do you keep that momentum going? Here are 5 ways to keep the momentum up when it all feels a bit bleak or you are unsure on handle single use plastics:

1 EDUCATION IS KEY

Whilst initiatives such as Plastic Free July are a fab starting point, the momentum can start to diminish as soon as the next monthly challenge takes centre stage.  We read books like ‘No more plastic’ by Martin Dorey and ‘How to Live Plastic Free’ by Marine Conservation Society, we look at heart-breaking photographs and watch programmes like Blue Planet, follow influence bloggers on Twitter. Remind yourself why you are trying to become Plastic Free at home and at work.

2. STATS NEVER LIE

We use 300 MILLION TONNES of plastic each year. Every day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans. Less than half of plastic bottles used in the UK are recycled – and over 150 plastic bottles litter each mille of UK beaches. 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually. It’s estimated that there is now 5.25 trillion macro and micro plastic pieces floating around in the open ocean.

We can all lend a helping hand in the fight against plastics!

We have reduced single use plastic from our work stations and canteens!

3. ORGANISE AN PLASTIC FREE PICK

Getting outside and seeing plastic litter first-hand.  Some fun initiatives include Plogging which combines jogging and picking up litter – you’d be amazed how much rubbish you can collect in half hour! Other amazing examples include #PlasticFreeCoastlines run by Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Free July, run by Marine Conservation Society and the awesome Martin Dorey’s #2minutebeachclean concept and boards including the NEW #2minutestreetclean and #2minutelitterpick

4. NOT ALL PLASTIC OR BRANDS ARE BAD

A Plastic Planet  say ‘There will always be a need for plastic – medical science, aviation, technology, car industries – where plastic can more easily be reclaimed and kept within a closed recycling loop. Single use, especially for food and drink, is not defensible.’

The real issue is single use plastics – plastic cups, straws, coffee cups, plastic bottles, milk bottles, cutlery etc. Do we need such lazy products in our life and buy using and buying such products we are encouraging and support the use of this throwaway items which just end up in landfills. Lastly it is important we support brands which are making a difference – A Plastic Planet, Iceland, Morrison’s, Simply Cups, Coca-Cola, Costa, Harrogate Spring Water and all doing awesome things!

5. PROMOTE THE GOOD, NUDGE AND INSPIRE

Reduce, reuse, recycle- has been in our lives for decades. Completely eradicating all single-use plastics from your work/home overnight isn’t realistic. Think about where you can reuse it, and move on to recycling as much as humanly possible if all else fails.

More companies are moving towards plant-based ‘plastics’, but for this to be a success in the future, there needs to be more industrial composting sites, and more councils offering food waste collections.

As a business Helping Hand Environmental are do our bit, check out our #Factory2Hand tour where we are eliminating single use plastic from our waste, processing and manufacturing stream and our 100% reusable litter pickers and litter picking carts; to segregate and sort plastics.

 

 

 

Important Information About Our Annual Stock Take

Helping Hand Environmental Annual Stock Take will take place from Wednesday 1st July until Friday 3rd July 2020.

Unfortunately, no orders can be invoiced or dispatched during this time.

Last day to order Tuesday 30th June before 12pm for standard stock items.

Place your orders now to avoid delays:

Telephone: 01531 635678
Email sales@helpinghand.co.uk

Or visit our WEBSHOP

We will still be accepting orders online during this period, however we will be unable to ship goods until w/c 6th July. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Create Your Own Litter Picking Kit

Create Your Own Litter Picking Kit with Helping Hand Environmental

The perfect litter hero gift/ litter picking kit is waiting for you in three easy steps:

  1. Select your litter picking companions – choose from a wide range of 100% reusable products to build your own solo litter picking kit or litter hero gift set
  2. Download your FREE litter picking guide with every order
  3. Want to add a special message – well now you can! Want a message added into your order, we can do that too!

Buying for yourself? By creating your own litter picking kit you can order your custom kit or litter picking set that perfectly fit your litter picking task, clean up activity, or funding application criteria.

Buying as Gift? Whether a birthday gift, thinking of you, or a just because they are an awesome litter hero, there is a range of safer litter collection products to choose from.

We know, it’s not always easy to choose one product to send, so select from a wide range of reusable litter picking equipment from litter pickers, bag hoops, litter carts, reusable hi vis vest and gloves and safer litter collection products to create a high quality and thoughtful gift which can be sent straight to your recipient.

And if you want to add a special box message, or future delivery day, we will do our best to make and send your kit to support your individual request.

Still not sure what equipment to order? Next month, we will launching Helping Hand Environmental Gift Vouchers – the perfect gift for any litter picker!

To find out more about contact Helping Hand Environmental on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk or follow this LINK

 

 

Drink & Drop – 75% of Litter Thrown in England is related to Drinking on the Go

According to a recent report produced by our friends at Keep Britain Tidy and DEFRA, a whopping 75% of litter being thrown on our streets, parks and beaches in England was the result of drink consumption.

The most littered items were recorded as:

  • Plastic bottles – nearly 25% of all litter recorded
  • Cans
  • Larger bottles
  • Glass bottles
  • Coffee cups
  • Soft drink cups and cartons

Much of this should and could be recycled now. For example, only 43% of all plastic bottles produced in the UK are recycled. This is why Keep Britain Tidy are calling for a well designed and comprehensive desposit return scheme (DRS) as soon as possible in England.

Trials of DRS are already taking place in some supermarkets chains like Iceland and The Cooperative Group – who are trialling a money off coupon system per item brought back to be recycled in store. There is also the development of behavioural change campaigns, linking DRS including the successful Drive Down Litter campaign in partnership with Roadchef and Hubbub, which has seen the installation of deposit return machines and split recycling bins/target bins across some of Roadchef’s Motorway Service Stations.

In Scotland, the Government will soon be introducing DRS widely in July 2022 as the bill was passed last month to introduce across the country – making Scotland one of over 40 countires worldwide to introduce DRS; increasing recycling rates for drink containers in some countries to over 90% and in turn saw a reduction in dropping litter.

Did you know? In the UK, we could generate £26 million every year if all the plastic bottles thrown away or dropped on our streets, parks, beaches were reversed vended. Therefore, the concept to ‘Recycle on the Go’ has never been more important. If you are interested in finding out how easy it is to segregate and seperate at source, check out our NEW Handicart Range of litter segregation and recycling carts or contact our sales team on 01531 635678 for further information, book a trial or virtual demonstration.

 

 

 

Litterpicking & Coronavirus Guidance

Helping Hand Environmental understand a lot of individual volunteers are still wishing to litter pick as part of their daily exercise routines – with many understanding the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors; boosting the immune system and having a positive impact on your mental health, well-being and the planet.

Following the updated government advice (since our May blog article) – this new litter picking guidance came into effect on the 1st June 2020 and produced in partnership with our friends at Keep Britain Tidy.

This guidance as been prepared to support you and your group volunteers to begin litter picking once again – in the safest way possible. Please only consider resuming litter picking if you are happy to do so – there is no obligation for you to do this.

Litter picking can be carried out alone, in pairs or small groups of up to a maimum of six, including yourself or lead member. This is based on the goverment guidance of meeting up with people outside of your own household at social distance of 2 meters, outdoors only.

Individuals currently sheilding, in ‘at risk’ groups, displaying symptoms, or thouse who have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litter pick.

Litterpicking Alone or in Pairs

Litterpicking by yourself – ideally you should use/have your own gloves and litter picker, however if you wish to handout equipment to volunteers, in your group, ask your volunteers to use their own gloves, and then provide each person with items like litter pickers, hoops, litter carts, hi visiblity vests and cleansing bags. They can either be dropped off or delivered at social distance to your volunteers in a outdoor environment – keeping two meters apart.

If you wish to handout equipment to volunteers in your group, please follow these points:

  • Please supply volunteers with their own kit – litterpicker, hoop and Hi-Vis vests. Ask volunteers to use their own gloves.
  • We would recommend volunteers keep hold of this kit for the foreseeable future, rather than return it after each use so that only they use it.
  • For distribution – please leave litter pickers outside your property with a bottle of household anti-bacterial spray.
  • Please ask volunteers to spray the handle of the litter picker when they collect it and again if returned.
  • If you are loaning out equipment and asking members to return – do not use their equipment for upto 72 hours and store away and spray down equipment after use.
  • Please share the Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs (below) with volunteers.

Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs

  • Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups or displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litterpick.
  • Use your own gloves and a litter picker. Clean both after use and before storing.
  • Wash hands before and after at home or nearby w/c facilities.
  • Carry hand sanitiser if you have some or anti bac wipes.
  • Stay at least 2 metres from fellow volunteer and members of the public.
  • Don’t pick any more than you can put in your own bin at home.
  • Be conscious of of collecting PPE litter – disposable gloves, face mask and hand wipes.
  • Don’t pick up sharps/syringes – report to your local authority for collection.
  • Litter is to be tied up in strong waste sack and put in your general household waste/wheelie bin at home – outdoor bin only.

Small Group Activity upto 6 people

As of 1st June, a small group is defined as a maximum of six people (including the Group Leader), however, this number may increase or decrease over time – please follow changes to Government guidance.

  • You will need to check that your Local Authority are currently able to collect your clean up’s litter. If they don’t have capacity to do this, then you will need to fit all litter collect into your general waste/wheelie bin at home.
  • As summer approaches, be aware that certain areas could be very busy so you may want to consider the timing of clean ups e.g. in the evening and avoiding weekend times.
  • Be aware of any areas with lots of people congregating. Keep social distancing and wash hands after touching shared surfaces.
  • Observe social distancing, particularly at start and end of event when equipment being handed out/collected and during the safety briefing, which should be held outside at all times.
  • Provide hand sanitiser or ask volunteers to bring their own.
  • Signing in should be carried out by the group leader – completing a form themselves rather than sharing pen and paper or online preferably.
  • First Aid Treatment – please see current advice from St. John Ambulance https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/covid-19-advice-for-first-aiders/
  • Any returned equipment should be sanitised at the end of each event and kept for a 72 hours period for decontainmentation, stored away from others.
  • The group leader should bring spare new clean gloves which people can take home and use.
  • Share the Guidance below with Volunteers ahead of the clean up.

Guidance for Volunteers working in small groups

  • Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups or displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litterpick.
  • Bring your own gloves and ideally your own litter picker
  • Wash hands before and after at home or nearby w/c facilities.
  • Carry hand sanitiser if you have access to some.
  • Stay at least 2 metres from fellow volunteers and members of the public.
  • Don’t pick up sharps.
  • Litter to be tied up in strong waste sack.
  • If taking a litterpicker home at end of clean up, please sanitize before storing away for 72 hours before use again.

If you need further help, our team are working remotely from home but are still at the end of the phone, if we can answer any questions/enquiries – do give Helping Hand Environmental a call, 01531 635678. 

To further support you during this time. We have a range of litter picking guides in our Download section offer volunteers discounted equipment order forms for safer litter collection -which featured products like our NEW folding Safe Pick Litter Picker and Sharp Pouch to help you undertake your solo litter picks; with safety and confidence.

Most importantly from everyone at Helping Hand Environmental, stay safe 🙂

World Ocean’s Day

Happy World Ocean’s Day from Helping Hand Environmental ♻️

Helping Hand Environmental are proud to be working with beach cleaning heroes across the world providing sustainable beach cleaning and resuable litter picking equipment.  

With our friends at Beach Guardian, The 2 Minute Foundation, Surfers Against Sewage, Big Blue Ocean Clean Up, Plastic Patrol and Marine Conservation Society, volunteer #LitterHeroes and environmental divisions of campaigning charities such as Keep Britain Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiul, Clean Up Britain, Hubbub, and Litter Action. We have been proudly supporting and sponsoring innovative clean up campaigns and lending a helping hand on many a beach clean to keep our shore lines tidy, driving behavioural change and government legalisation on ocean protection for over 10 years – view our campaign partners HERE

In recent weeks, with lockdown restrictions being lifted we have seen the dramatic increase in litter present on our beaches, coastlines paths and in our waterway network – we want to say thank you to all the volunteers who have been out picking up recently, your actions will create change and we thank you for selecting our reusable litter picking range of sustainable tools to help fight the #LitterPandemic

If we can help support you at this time with safer litter collection equipment campaign support or litter picking guidance, please do not hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team:
📱☎️ 01531 635678
💻 📧sales@helpinghand.co.uk
🖥️ 🖱️HHEnvironmental.co.uk
Look after yourselves & each other 💚

 

 

Supporting Your Frontline Services

To our valued customers,

In these testing times, we want to firstly reach out and say thank you – for continuing to maintain frontline services.  Whilst we may not be out and about as much as we would like, we truly value litter & recycling collections at home.

Putting people at the centre of everything we do and following government guidelines, here at The Helping Hand Company have been able to maintain all manufacturing lines of sustainable litter clearance tools across our facilities in Herefordshire. We also reassigned some of our manufacturing processes to support with the manufacture of scrubs for the NHS.

Our sales and marketing teams continue to work from home as we are sure many of you are too. Today we wanted to quickly let you know how we intend to maintain contact with you during this continued period of uncertainty.

  • Have a query, want to place an order, we are available at the end of the phone Monday – Friday, 0830 – 5.00pm on 01531 635678. You may even here some additional members of the family joining in the call!
  • All stock items are being shipped same day but please allow up to 5 days as the Carriers are experiencing extraordinary levels of demand.
  • We have been busy updating technical manuals, user manuals and product literature to support each Helping Hand range. We will shortly be releasing new user videos covering product assembly, how to use and case studies. All of these will be available for you to view on the website – check out www.HHenvironmental.co.uk
  • Around the beginning July, our field support team will be available for virtual appointments, set up remote product evaluation and where essential, have the necessary PPE to complete face to face appointments. New operational guidelines for this will include:
  1. Pre meeting, full sanitisation of any equipment brought for either a demonstration or for commencement of a trial.
  2. Where possible, we will request a meeting within an outdoor environment at social distance. However, if meeting within an office environment, we will ensure a safe 2metre distance is met at all times.
  3. Any trial equipment, on successful completion, if to be returned, we will request you follow a decontamination process prior to its return. On receipt we will quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours.

Using technology, we’ve now got used to using Microsoft teams, Zoom, What’s App and Skype, particularly where benefits a group of people. Discussing forward planned campaigns, reviewing product trials and even completing product demonstrations. We look forward to booking a call with you.

For now stay safe and well – we will get through this.

Best regards,

 

Carly Di Crescienzo

UK Sales Manager

Helping Hand Environmental, a division of The Helping Hand Company

 

Time for Nature this World Environment Day

 

Time for Nature this World Environment Day

 

Happy World Environment Day folks – did you know this year’s theme is bio diversity; actions which help to preserve our planet for future generations like litter picking, recycling at home or on the go, composting, reusing rather than replacing and rethinking our own consumer behaviour to generate less waste.

Today Helping Hand Environmental is super excited to announce and launch; in partnership with the brilliant Salford Litter Heroes our NEW Litterpicking Guide.

This campaign resource is full of information on how to plan, run and organise your own litter pick – along with lots of handy hints and tips on funding, grants and health & safety advice. To request your copy contact us https://www.hhenvironmental.co.uk/contact-us/

 

And to further support #LitterHeroes with safer litter collection we have a range of dedicate discounted litter picking equipment order forms available via sales@helpinghand.co.uk to support your bids, budgets and future grant applications.

Lastly, if you need a Helping Hand with all things litter or litter picking, please do not hesitate to give our team a call on 01531 635678.

#WorldEnvironmentDay
#BeTheChange
#TimeforNature

 

N.B – The Helping Hand Company pride ourselves for being #1 for sustainable litter clearance hand tools; manufactured in Britain, from us to you, from our factories in Herefordshire, #factory2hand and proudly supporting environmental charities and litter heroes across the world  – view our campaign partners HERE

 

 

 

Handihoop Pro

  • Handihoop Banner

Helping Hand Litter Bag Hoops  – Handihoop

X3 images of the Handihoop in use (attached)

The Litterpicker’s best friend, the Handihoop litter bag ring is the tool to have if you are carrying out community clean ups.

The simple and lightweight hoop is easy to use, comfy to carry, robust and just makes any type of litter collection so much easier. Whether a volunteer, street cleansing operative, janitorial, school, landscaper, a bin bag is never going to stay open by itself.

Reusable, lightweight, with optional foam handle or erPro plastic handle offering, litter picking has never been easier.

Other popular bag openers from our Handihoop range are available in our online shop – including the Handihoop Plus and coming soon the Handihoop Duo which encourage you to collect and carry, segregate and sort and recycle on the go!

Handi Hoop features:

  • Secure Grip
  • Option Foam or Pro Plastic Handle
  • Professional tool: high quality and robust
  • Increase your collection capacity by 66% with a bag opener
  • The Helping Hand Company manufacture the Handihoop range

Handi Hoop Testimonials:

“A great time saving tool which makes light work of litter, supports our service delivery and has created a more professional perceptive operative in the public eye”
Swansea City Council

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