#RecycleWeek Winner Announced

It’s #RecycleWeek and this years’ theme is all about saying thank you to our key waste workers and recycling volunteers.

Thank you for all the nominations for our #RecycleWeek Handicart Duo Cart competition.
We had over 3,400 interactions across our social media pages and received some fantastic nominations from little #litterheroes; to community groups that are out Litterpicking every weekend; a Plastic Eco Warrior and families who litter pick every day – you are our #RecyclingHeroes – thank you.
But there could only be one winner and we are delighted to announced our #RecycleWeek competition winner is Robert James Butler (pictured) – many congratulations Robert – a Handicart Duo is on it’s way to you!
Robert received so many nominations from the residents of Sileby Parish Council about his litter picking efforts; a true #recyclinghero who is making a difference everyday.
Robert is also a key worker for Charnwood Borough Council (at weekends) supporting recycling collections across the borough – but his passion is volunteer litterpicking in his Parish and with Sileby Environmental Conservation Volunteers – organising and undertaking a host of litter picks and recycling tasks. Without a car this task becomes even more of a challenge, so from everyone at Helping Hand Environmental, we really hope our Handicart Duo can make Recycling on the Go a little easier.
From everyone at Helping Hand Environmental, we would like to personally congratulate all the nominees for all the outstanding work you do – you are all winners making a difference. And if you would like to find out more about our range of litter segregation products, click HERE

#RecycleWeek Competition

It’s #RecycleWeek and this years’ theme is all about saying thank you to our key waste workers and recycling volunteers.
At Helping Hand Environmental, we’d like to take this opportunity to recognise the litter segregation efforts of our customers during lockdown with a very special competition prize – our new litter busting cart – the Handicart Duo.
This awesome litter segregation cart helps you to recycle on the go with dual waste capacity, sort and segregate general litter from DRS – plus it’s super light, made from 35% recycled materials and folds away easily.
If you are a Helping Hand customer, solo litter picker, eco ambassador or frontline service worker – we want to hear from you. Nominate your #recyclinghero who has worked or volunteered tirelessly through lockdown to collect and sort litter and #recycleonthego
Entries must be sent into our marketing team sales@helpinghand.co.uk – p.s make sure you #hashtag in your email title #recyclinghero competition nomination.
But be quick, you have until 28th September to get your entries in! Good Luck

Safer Litter Collection

The Helping Hand Company have been able to maintain all manufacturing lines of our world famous sustainable litter clearance tools from our facilities in Herefordshire. Our environmental range meets both the current demands of social distance litter collection and cleanliness to support operational staff and volunteer litter heroes across the UK to litter pick safely.

And with the increase in #lockdownlitter on our streets, parks, neighbourhoods and beaches – our 100% reusable range will support you in keeping litter at arms length, when picking up #lockdownlitter items such as face masks, wet wipes, disposable gloves and fast food packaging.

What’s more our products can be easily wiped down or cleaned with anti bacterial sprays/wipes to reduce the risk of contanimation; especially if you are loaning out litter picking equipment to support small group activities, volunteers litter picks or adopt a space campaigns.

Helping Hand’s safer litter collection range includes folding litter pickers, sanitiser spray, anti bacterial wipes, wipe clean handle litter grabbers, pooper scoopers and bio hazard kits for hygenic and safe pick up everytime.

Even our commercial litter picking equipment has unique product features to support safer litter collection in these challenging times so frontline and volunteer litter pickers alike don’t have to quarantine their litter picking equipment for 72 hours after it has been used.

 
Helping Hand Litterpickers – the RANGER MAX and Community Litterpickers are perfect for both operational litter collection and volunteer litter picking. Their wipe clean handles allow you to use them again and again – plus all our litter pickers come in a variety of lengths or styles to keep you at arms length: view range

Helping Hand Handihoops – a litter pickers best friend, the Handihoop Pro and Handihoop Plus multi functional litter bag hoops have heavy-duty wipe clean handles; making them your ideal collection companion for carrying heavy bags with ease.

What’s more the Handihoop Plus innovative scoop/sweep plate and optional body carry strap –  let’s you collect or sweep litter and detritus effectively. Or find them, ready to go on the Handicart Pro!


Reusable Gloves are a must for hygenic litter collection at any age. Our washable 100% reusable gloves are available in adults and childrens sizes. Be safe on every clean up.


Tidy Up Kits – our clean up kits offer a one stop portable kit filled with all your litter picking essentials. Packaged into a handy, waterproof and wipe clean kit bag – making it super easy to carry and/or store away after your event. Or go bespoke and make your own clean up kit

To find out more information about our safer litter collection products, social distance litter picking guidelines, please contact Helping Hand Environmental on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk

We’d love to hear about your social distance litter picks too – please join us, on our NEW Community Forum

Carly

Carly Di Crescienzo
UK Sales Manager

#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, volunteers hours – 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.

In England, 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 1 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 one meter 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 or purchase for them.
  • 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. Otherwise litter picking equipment which has been loaned out needs to be quarantined for 72 hours after.
  • Direct delivery where possible (Helping Hand do this) or drop off litter picking equipment at social distance.
  • Please ask volunteers to spray the handle of the litter picker when they collect it and again if returned to you if you are sotoring litter picking equipment on behalf of your group/campaign.
  • 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 – you can find this on the Keep Britain Tidy website.

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.
  • Always 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 1 metre from fellow volunteer and members of the public.
  • Don’t pick any more than you can put in your own bin at home, unless you are working in partnership with your local authority who may be able to collect your litter picking bags once they are full.
  • Be conscious of of collecting PPE litter – disposable gloves, face mask and hand wipes. You can collect these items but they cannot be recycled and must go into a general waste collection bag. Never pick up these items with your hands, always use a litter picker.
  • Don’t pick up sharps/syringes – report to your local authority for collection or use a Sharps Pouch.
  • Where possible, litter is to be tied up in strong waste sack and put in your general household waste/wheelie bin at home – outdoor bin only. Unless your local authority can collect if you have more than a few bags. Please contact your local council’s Street Cleansing Team.

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. Please contact your local Street Cleansing Team.
  • 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 – always wear gloves where possible.
  • 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 decontamination, stored away from others.
  • The group leader should bring spare new clean gloves and litter pickers 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 1 metre 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 💚