Environmental Blog - Helping Hand Environmental

One mans trash is another mans treasure

Why should we recycle – conserve resources, save energy, protect the environment, reduce landfill? Absolutely, but did you also know that by recycling stuff that we would normally through away, it can be converted into money to help those in need?

Nearly 3 years ago Andrew Wood set up the Herefordshire Recycling and Reuse group, he now has over 5,000 active Facebook members. They collect bottle tops and crisp packets, old cables and leads, all which can be sold on to be recycled and raise thousands of pounds for local charities. Clothing, bedding, toys & books, furniture including beds, sofas, chairs, fridge, cooker, microwaves all donated free to help create new homes for struggling families. The current pandemic has seen a surge in both the donations and the support needed for so many vulnerable people across Herefordshire. However collecting, and moving the furniture has become a real nightmare! Now Andrew has his own 100% recycled van!

Andrew Wood said “I am a solo worker and a volunteer. I’ve worked together with the team at Helping Hand on many projects over the years including sponsorship of a primary school as part of our Schools recycling project, making ‘Brummie bull’ as part of our Education programme and more. Their latest recycling project has left me truly speechless! Sadly we have a growing number of vulnerable people across Herefordshire who need our support – and now we will be able to do even more”.

Gavin James, Managing Director of The Helping Hand Company added “It is a great pleasure to see and support a local initiative that does so much for the environment while supporting those in need. Andrew it is a treat to be associated with”.

To read more about other Helping Hand Community Trust projects – we support please visit www.helpinghand.co.uk/projects-community

New Editor in Chief for UK Litterpicking Groups

New Editor in Chief for UK Litterpicking Groups

I’m delighted to welcome Lindsay Richmond-Kearns as our new editor in chief and administrator for UK Litterpicking Groups Facebook Group.

As many of you are aware, Andrew Wood founded this group page 3 years ago and it has exceeded all expectations and more. A brilliant platform of passionate volunteers, sharing ideas & best practices – & that’s one thing that Lockdown 1, 2 or 3 has not been able to interrupt!

Along the way I have also set up a second group – Herefordshire Community Recycling And Reuse Group and it is here that I am now going to focus my energies.

Our paths will continue to cross & I am delighted to pass you all into the experienced, passionate & caring hands of Lindsay. Best wishes, Andrew

I am excited to be working with you all, some of whom I’ve enjoyed working with over the last 15 years since my days at Litter Watch and in my role at Helping Hand Environmental.

I look forward to making new friends and making a difference where we live everyday but for now keep safe & keep well – Lindsay x

Editor’s Blog – First Week In

Firstly, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Andrew Wood (pictured) for founding UK Litterpicking Groups Facebook page. This group page works so well because it’s filled with awesome volunteers who have real life litter picking challenges, success stories, brilliant advice and lots of great litter picking questions.

It’s big shoes to fill but I’m definitely up for the challenge! And like you, I look forward to Andrew’s comments on future posts

So, this is me, and I know what you are going to be thinking? What does Lindsay know about litter, volunteer litter picking or UK Litterpicking Groups?

Whilst I work for the best manufacturer of sustainable litter picking equipment in the World (I know I am biased) – what you might not know is have 15 years of volunteer litter picking experience under my belt – across all terrains (organising, running litter picks, as well as undertaking my own solo litter picks) and have been actively involved for 2 years’ on the UK Litterpicking Groups Page.

In my current role at Helping Hand, I work with key brands, litter heroes and environmental charities on a host of environmental campaigns to eliminate litter and support a circular economy. I’ve worked with/in front line local authority street cleansing, enforcement and recycling departments, as an environmental education consultant and ran my own anti-litter charity.

Members, I’m a volunteer at heart – I have faced the same challenges, pet hates and concerns about litter as you. I am concerned for our neighbourhoods, our planet and our future generations thats why litter pick and that’s why I want to help bring about change. I will continue to support and help members of UK Litterpicking Groups in any way I can thank you for all that you do and will do in your local communities.

Recycling volunteers collect over a ton of Plastic Bottle Tops

Helping Hand Environmental were delighted to hand over a ton of plastic bottle tops in support of a circular economy.

Thank you to our friends at Herefordshire Reuse & Recycling Group these plastic bottle tops which have been collected over the last 12 months from schools, volunteer litter picks and community collection sites across Herefordshire. Will now go off to be repurposed by our friends at Stormboard into 6 by 3 foot building boards to make refugee shelters in the Middle East.

#circulareconomy

#reuse

#recycling

#herefordshire

#zerowaste

#partnershipworking

Litter picking Guidance during #Lockdown3

Following the government announcement (Tuesday 5th January) of another national lockdown, we are all being asked to stay at home.

Stricter and legally enforceable rules on outdoor activity are now in place. There are prescribed reasons for being outdoors, which do include provision of voluntary and charitable services and for the purposes of exercise (but only once a day).

It not currently clear from the government’s guidance document whether volunteer litter picking, would be covered by either criteria – therefore, to keep everyone safe it is important to take a precautionary approach.

Please note: this guidance is purely for litter-picking activities in England from our friends at Keep Britain Tidy.

Should you wish to carry out volunteer litter picks or daily solo litter picks in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – please contact our friends at Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy or Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful for further regionally information and updates.

New Guidance Update: Keep Britain Tidy are asking all their KBT Ambassadors, volunteers and volunteers groups to pause any organised litter picking events until further notice.

Should you choose to pick up litter on your daily exercise, please ensure you do so safely and, in line with government guidance, you should only undertake outdoor activity as an individual, with one other person or with members of your own household/support bubble – while maintaining social distancing at all times, using a litter picker and wearing gloves at all times.

Should you need any further information or safer litter collection equipment, speak to our friendly team on 01531 635678 – we’re here to lend a Helping Hand should you us.

Keep safe #LitterHeroes

2021 Divisional Update

Our business remains open & ready to lend a Helping Hand.

To all our valued customers, front line services and #LitterHeroes – we’re here for you.

In these continued uncertain times with a new strain of COVID-19, our thoughts are with all who are being affected by the ongoing turmoil of the coronavirus pandemi.

In 2021, our business remains committed to being responsible for what we do, those we service and truly value the support you give in trading with us. Putting people at the centre of everything we do and following government guidelines, here at The Helping Hand Company we have been able to maintain all manufacturing lines of sustainable litter clearance tools across our facilities in Herefordshire.

The shelves are stocked, your favourite products available for immediate despatch ensuring priority delivery for front line services.

Our sales teams are working remotely from home to limit the potential spread of the virus. We have suspended all face to face visits, but your local sales manager and regional team is available virtually through Teams/Skype/What’s App, via email or at the end of a phone.

If you need sustainable litter picking equipment, litter picking guidance, a support network, or just a friendly person to chat to – please do give us a call on 01531 635678.

Lastly, we wanted to take this opportunity to say, thank you for choosing to work or purchase from Helping Hand Environmental. By buying British, you have helped continue to fly the flag for British design, innovation and manufacture with our 100% reusable range of sustainable litter picking equipment.

Please take care of yourselves and each other.

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

Carly

Carly Di Crescienzo
UK Sales Manager

Christmas Hours

Firstly, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your custom and support.

Thank you for choosing to buy direct from the manufacturer – this year, you have helped our business continue to fly the flag for British design, innovation and manufacturing with our 100% reusable range of sustainable litter picking equipment.

Helping Hand Environmental want to ensure every customer is guaranteed their order in time the festive season. Should you need any products in time for Christmas, please place your order by Monday 21st December 12 noon.

Our business will be closed from Wednesday 23rd December until Monday 4th January 2021.

Call our Sales Team today on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk

We will still be accepting online orders online throughout Christmas period but not processing any until our return w/c 4th January 2021.

Litterpicking Guidance during COVID-19 in England

As we return to the tiered lockdown system in England, and volunteers wish to continue to litter pick, we want this to be done safely within the parameters of your local lockdown restrictions.

We are aware that litter picking can be great for your mental health as well as the local environment. However, we want to ensure this to be done safely within the parameters of the latest government guidance from 2nd December. Litter picking can be carried out alone or with a small group of up to 6 people total in all tiers in certain locations, based on the current government ‘tiered system’ guidance for meeting with people outside of your household.

Please note: this guidance is purely for litter-picking in England from our friends at Keep Britain Tidy. Should you wish to carry out volunteer litter picking in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – please contact Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy or Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful for futher regionally information and updates.

Litterpicking in England can be carried out alone or in pairs based on the current government guidance for meeting with people outside of your household.

Before going out alone or in pairs, please remember:

Individuals currently shielding, in ‘at risk’ groups, displaying symptoms (or in contact with those with symptoms) or have been directly advised to self-isolate should not litter-pick.

If you have litterpicking equipment and wish to give it to other people for litter-picking, please follow these points:

Please use litter-pickers, gloves and hi-vis vests at all times. The gloves must be your own and not borrowed from someone else.
We recommend volunteers keep hold of this kit, rather than return it after each use so that only they use it.
Should you need to purchase your own litter picking kit, please view our safer litter collection range
For Distribution – please leave litter-pickers or tidy up kit outside your property with a bottle of household anti-bacterial spray. We suggest giving out a small number so that you can keep track of them.Please spray the handle of the litter-picker when you collect it and again if returned.
Please share the Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs (below) with other volunteers.

Guidance for volunteers working alone or in pairs

Tell someone where you are going and stay in mobile contact.Use your own gloves and a litter-picker. Clean both after use before storing.
Wash hands before and after at home or nearby w/c facilities.
Carry hand sanitiser.
Stay at least one metre from fellow volunteer and members of the public.
Unless you have made an arrangement with your local council to collect your full rubbish bags, don’t pick any more than you can put in your own bin at home.
Don’t pick up sharps/syringes.
Litter should be tied up in strong waste sacks.

Should you need any further information, download our latest litterpicking guide or speak to our friendly team on 01531 635678 – we’re here to lend a Helping Hand.

Keep safe #LitterHeroes

Green Friday #Reuse Reinvented

This November, Helping Hand Environmental joins the movement to support Green Friday and promote responsible consumption that benefits the Circular Economy all year round.

So, if you don’t have any plans this Friday, why not consider organising a solo litter pick in your local neighbourhood, get outdoors and enjoy a walk, cycle or run. You could also donate to an environmental charity that you love or spending time with your household members.

Here are a few top tips on ow you can join the movement during this Green Friday weekend and all year round really!

Mindful shopping

Today and over this coming weekend we’re probably all a little bit guilty of buying more than we need, and making less use of our purchases than we used to.

Before going on a shopping spree (local or online), take a moment to reflect whether you really need that item and why. Is it a replacement? Can the old one be fixed? Can you picture yourself using that item more than once? If the answers are yes, yes and yes, try shopping first for ethical and reusable alternatives. Good for your wallet and the planet.

Shop local, buy British

When you can, shopping in your local area and buying from local producers is the easiest way to reduce your overall carbon footprint. Also, well as eco-friendly products, always look out for Made in Britain stamp too.

Plus, you are in your rights to refuse unnecessary packaging too.

Reuse me

Ask yourself, is the product you want to buy only going be able to be used couple of times? Nobody wants to see their new purchase end up on the landfill heap. Unfortunately, the lure of price reductions and cheaper products might seem a good deal at the time but our motto is buying cheap by twice. Surely a product built to last #reuse; with a high-quality reputation is worth paying a litter more for?

Recycled & recyclable

If you’re going to buy something, make sure you opt for products made of recycled materials or its components are recyclable. By doing this you minimise your impact on the planet, prevent waste from ending up in landfill and support the Circular Economy!

Rethink

Lastly, our everyday habits have the tendency to create waste without us consciously knowing – we sometimes purchase and replace items without even thinking about their social, economic and environmental impact. It’s time to rethink our buying habits.

For example, Single-use throw away coffee cups can quite easily be replaced with reusable keep cups. Plastic supermarket carrier bags can be replaced with reusable cotton or hessian versions which will withstand multiple usage. Products like these quickly end up paying for themselves and unlike their single-use counterparts (which are often mass produced cheaply and imported) – your handcrafted eco-friendly version won’t have to replace anytime soon.

Helping Hand Environmental sustainble range of #reuse litter pickers, litter segregate hoops and litter picking carts are 100% reusable, manufactured in Britain and made from a minimum of 35% recycled content.

Read more in our #Factory2Hand Tour Blog

Litter Picking Drop-Ins – A New Approach to Litter Picking During Lockdown

We are all adjusting to the new normal, but what does that mean for litter picking? Gone are the days when we could arrange a community litter-picking event and invite as many people as possible to get involved. Now we must consider new legislation, distancing measures, and increased risks.

A new approach was needed and the idea of the litter picking drop-in’s stations was born. This concept has been installed by several local authorities across the UK and here at Helping Hand Environmental, we would like to share with you Manchester City Council’s Litter Picking Drop-Ins case study – in support of the Keep Manchester Tidy initiative and Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks campaign.

How does it work?

Initially the council selected a small number of parks to work in across the city. At each park set up a litter picking station. The local authority invited people to come along through social media and linked the activity to a wider campaign; Love Parks.

Setting out the station

The litter picking station itself was quite simple and comprised of;

A table with PPE and hand sanitiser
Litter pickers arranged individually (so people only touch the one they will use)
Bag hoops and bags
A container for people to deposit the equipment they have used
Sanitising wash and wipes to clean equipment after use
Promotional banner and flag promoting Keep Manchester Tidy
One or two friendly station managers to engage potential volunteers (at a distance)
Tape or small barrier to help maintain distancing at the station
An up to date risk assessment

Council staff manned the station and invited people to come along between 10 am and 2 pm. They could take equipment and pick litter for as long or as short a time as they wished. They asked that people acted as either solo litter pickers, social bubble litter pickers, or small group litter pickers of no more than six socially distanced people – making arrangements for people to either return collected litter to the station, or to other designated points across the City.

What worked well?

The litter picking stations were a success. This is what people liked about them:

Flexibility of being able to turn up to suit, as opposed to having to meet somewhere at a fixed starting time
Flexibility to pick for just a short while. This meant people didn’t feel guilty about leaving a group early or not doing enough for the group. People were also surprised about how much litter can be collected in a short space of time
Full compliance with coronavirus regulations
Greater inclusivity with no pressure to be part of a group – including several disabled people getting involved who would not have otherwise have joined an organised litter pick.
Many of those who took a litter picker had conversions with other members of the public. This proved to be a good way to promote the profile of litter picking as a positive and valuable community activity. Volunteers told us how they were thanked for their litter picking work by passers-by.
We thought that when the public see volunteers doing litter picking, as opposed to paid council workers, it acts as a nudge for them to do the right thing and not drop litter. Volunteers agreed with this thought.

What Were the Challenges?

Manchester City Council faced very few challenges in using this approach. The weather being too wet or very hot did reduce the numbers of people visiting the station, but not significantly. They did have to remain vigilant about social distancing; when people became passionate about cleaning up they sometimes forgot that they needed to maintain their distance.

Keeping it Working

The local authority have continued to deliver litter picking through drop in stations. Partnering with their colleagues in Biffa to add information and resources about recycling to our stations and this has proved popular in attracting passers-by to visit the station.

2021 Plans

Manchester City Council’s next plan is to use this approach to test litter-picking stations in district centres and other urban spaces and host the drop ins for corporate groups and large organisations to support their Keep Manchester Tidy initiative.

How we lent a Helping Hand to this project?

We have been Manchester City Council key supplier of sustainable litter clearance hand tools in support of their community engagement projects for over the last 10 years including Love Parks, Keep Manchester Tidy and their new Litter picking Drop In Stations.

Our safer litter collection range as helped Emma and her council colleagues to support their volunteers wth social distance litter picks safely – including our folding litter pickers, disenfectant sprays and NEW Handicart Duo helps to support safer litter segregation across the City.

Which Helping Hand Litter Picker Is Right For Me?

Clearing up litter is an ongoing responsibility for local authorities, facilities management companies and waste contractors as well as voluntarily by litter heroes for all ages. For those in charge or take on the challenge of such a fundamental task, access to high-performing and durable litter picking tools is vital.

That’s why so many customers across the world choose Helping Hand. We manufacture the World’s most sustainable litter picking tools which are 100% reusable; build and designed in Britain; direct from our factories in Herefordshire. No matter the environment or litter picking task; Helping Hand will have the ideal litter picker for you.

However, it can be difficult to identify the right tool at a glance. So we hope this handy guide helps you determine the ideal Helping Hand litter picker for your litter pick.

Litter picking during Lockdown? Are you a solo volunteers, who enjoys litter picking as part of your daily exercise routine or with your household/support bubble – please make sure you read the latest guide on litter picking during a national lockdown HERE

First question to ask yourself… What kind of litter will I be picking up?

Before deciding what Helping Hand litter picker to select, you may want to consider the types of litter you’ll be dealing with either on a daily or voluntary basis. For some, that may include fairly lightweight pieces of rubbish, including plastic bottle or food cartons or smaller items such as cigarette ends and chewing gum. For others, it may be heavier items, like glass, wet carboard, newspapers or waste that could pose a risk to health, like bio hazard, PPE litter face masks, wipes, disposable gloves, or even dog mess.

Plastic (bottles, packaging, crisp packets, bags, chewing gum..)
Paper (including cardboard, newspapers, magazines, coffee cups, fast food wrappers)
Glass
Cigarette butts
Dog poo and other hazardous waste
PPE litter – face masks, disposable gloves, wipes

Litterpicker Pro Standard Litter Picker Grabber – ideal for general litter picking

The Litterpicker Pro Standard Litter Picker Grabber is our most popular product. It is a popular choice among frontline local authority staff and litter heroes. It is available in over 6 lengths; though the standard 33″ length is ideal for a variety of collection applications, including street cleansing, janitorial and volunteer litter picking activities. With a lightweight construction, trigger style application, an ergonomic PRO over moulded handle and grooved jaws, it can target both small and medium-sized pieces of rubbish. And for little litter heroes our Graptor Children’ Litter Picker Grabber is the prefect companion for any eco warrior!

Key Features: Easy-to-operate PRO handle; available in 6 lengths for different environments from 18″-10ft; grooved jaws offer a secure grip to pick up all types of general litter.

Lengths Available: 18″, 33″, 37″, 50″, 6ft, 8ft, 10ft

Streetmaster Pro Precision Litter Picker Grabber – ideal for picking up smaller items

If the areas you clean are frequently plagued by small items of rubbish including chewing gum, mircoplastics and cigarette butts, then then Streetmaster Pro Precision Litter Picker Grabber is the tool for you. It features a rubber, tapered jaws that is capable of grabbing fiddly items with a precise, concentrated grip as well as an easy-to-operate PRO handle for continious use. Additionally, a key feature of the Streetmaster Pro is its 90 degree rotating swivel head – which can quickly fit into differently oriented spaces for fast and effective litter collection from confined spaces and the 18″ Tidy Jon Pro Precision Litter Picker Grabber perfect for this application!

Key Features: Precision jaws for tightly grasping small objects; comfortable, user-friendly Pro style handle; 90° rotating swivel head, available in 5 lengths for every application.

Lengths Available: 18″, 33″, 37″, 50″, 6ft

Ranger MAX Heavy Duty Litter Picker Grabber – ideal for tough litter collection jobs in any weather

The Ranger MAX Heavy Duty Litter Picker Grabber is suitable for tough litter retrival . Its tong style one piece design allows users to exercise a stronger, more direct grip on the items they lift for effective heavy-duty litter collection. Thanks to its durable rubber jaw ends, it offers fantastic traction for grabbing wet items and has a bright reflective design which improves visibility of the user and the items they collect. It is also available in two handle choices – straight as standard or curved which some may find offers better comfort or leverage. Plus why not get the Ranger Recycle Kit, which extends the lifecycle of your litter picker by 300% making it 100% reusable everytime.

Key Features: Tong style one piece 35″ length for a more secure grip on heavy items; rubber jaw ends offer traction for lifting heavy or wet objects; available with a straight or curved handle, optional Recycle Kit available.

Length Available: 35″ only

Options: straight or curved handle, Ranger Recycle Kit

Safe Pick Pro Folding Litter Picker Grabber – Ideal for Solo Litter Picking/Daily Exercise Litter Picks

Specialised foldable design for safer litter collection or go anywhere litter picking – the portable/collapsible Safe Pick Pro Litter Picker Grabber is robust yet easy to transport thanks to its super lightweight construction . Available in two lengths 21.5″ short and standard 33″ folding. The Safe Pick Pro is portable, ideal for social distance litter picks as it enables volunteers to grab refuse items securely without having to get too close to them. Its jaws offer a strong grip and are shaped for versatile litter collection. This litter picker is great for taking with you when you are litter picking, of on your dog walk, hiking, paddle boarding or plogging too!

Key features: Extendable design; strong curved jaws for social distance applications; folding/collapsible design, portable in length for quick transportation to rapid response collection.

Lengths Available: 21.5″ or 33″

Lastly, We’re Here To Lend a Helping Hand

Whether you’re a professional or a litter picking volunteer, or just enjoying your daily exercise and helping your local environment – our range of sustainable litter picking equipment can make the task of cleaning up your local area easier with effective pick up every time. We have a designed and manufactured a tool at hand for every environment encompassing high quality British design and manufacture. And each one of our Helping Hand family of sustainable litter clearance hand tools is incredibly robust, hardwearing and 100% reusable, so you can get the most for your money, and support the environment too!

If we can be of any other further assistance, please feel free to give our friendly sales team a call on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk