Funding & Grants

UK Funding & Grants for Litter Picking Projects

In order to achieve environmental goals by running successful and sustainable clean-up campaigns, we unquestionably need the appropriate funding to make it all happen.

There are many funding routes already available, and new grant schemes are frequently announced.

Charities, local governments, and the National Lottery all offer funding schemes, many of which can be claimed for clean-up campaigns. Good news for everyone!

Knowing where to find such grants and how to apply for them can be tricky. That’s where Helping Hand Environmental comes in!

GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE

Approaching your local authority, town council, or parish council is a good starting point. Representatives from these organisations will be able to tell you if they can support your litter picking group. There are a few ways that local authorities can support you, including loaning litter picking equipment, donating rubbish bags, providing PPE, and collecting the rubbish you collect.

Additionally, they may have access to environmental budgets and local community grants each year. Speak to your local authority and/or town and parish council, or check their websites for funding updates. If you need any help figuring out who is the best contact within your waste service, give our friendly team a call on 01531 635678.

NATIONAL FUNDING & GRANTS

Bags of Help is Tesco’s local community grant scheme where the money raised by the carrier bag charge in Tesco stores is being used to fund thousands of community projects across the UK. The projects must meet the criteria of bringing benefits to the community. Visit https://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme
Biffa Community Grant supports local community projects to make a positive difference on environmental themed campaigns. Visit http://www.biffa-award.org/
DPD UK Green Grant Fund https://green.dpd.co.uk/
Arnold Clarke Foundation https://www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund
Screwfix Community Foundation https://www.screwfix.com/help/screwfixfoundation/
Aviva Community Fund https://www.aviva.co.uk/services/more-from-aviva/aviva-community-fund/
Awards for All gives groups in England small Lottery grants of between £300 and £10,000. They will fund a wide range of community projects aimed at developing skills, improving health, revitalising the local environment and enabling people to become more active citizens. Visit www.awardsforall.org.uk
People’s Postcode Lottery https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes
WREN is a not-for-profit business that helps benefit the lives of people who live close to landfill sites by awarding grants for community, environmental conservation and heritage projects of between £2,000 and £10,000. Visit www.wren.org.uk
Police & Crime Commissioner – PCC Grants are available throughout the UK. Themes can differ but alot will support and fund projects which will enhance community engagement, environmental campaigns in support of long-term regeneration. There are small grants upto £2,500 and larger grants upto £25,000 available. You must be a registered charity, group or CIC to apply. Check out your local police pages for further information.
Local Government – visit DEFRA for the latest announcements of UK ‘Green’ grants schemes and environmental policy updates.
John Ellerman Foundation https://ellerman.org.uk/
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/
Sustrans Scotland’s Love Your Network Grant is available to community groups operating along Scotland’s cycle networks. Grants of up to £2000 are available for the purchase of litter picking equipment, educational resources, and more. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/scotland/the-love-your-network-grant-for-community-groups-in-scotland

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Aviva Insurance support community and environmental projects across the UK. Visit https://www.aviva.co.uk/services/more-from-aviva/aviva-community-fund/
Greggs Foundation have environmental grants available upto £2,000 for groups who are undertaking litterpicking activities. Visit http://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/environmental-grants
Waitrose local community grant scheme is where money raised by the carrier bag charge is being used to fund thousands of community projects across the UK. Apply now http://www.waitrose.com/home/inspiration/community_matters.html
Cooperative Group had an new grant scheme available for Community Groups. Visit https://communities.centralengland.coop/community-funds/eligibility
ASDA have thier own Foundation which will fund specific community themed projects each year. Visit https://www.asdafoundation.org/what-we-fund
Morrisons have their own Foundation which will fund specific community themed projects each year – including environmental campaigns. Visit https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/
Costa Coffee also support local environmental groups with litterpicking equipment and Costa volunteers for specific events – find your local store at https://community.costa.co.uk/
McDonalds are very good in terms of support local initiatives with each store location. We would recommend going into your local store and speaking to the Planet Champions who will be able to help you further. A lot of stores have litterpicking equipment available.
MARS & Wrigley’s run the International Litter Less campaign for Schools with grants of upto £300 per school for litterpicking equipment. Visit https://www.ecoschools.global/about-the-campaign
Another useful site is https://www.neighbourly.com/ which links businesses with charities and groups. Businesses such as Coca-Cola, Suntory, M&S and Starbucks can be found there too and donate volunteer hours to environmental projects.

Helping Hand Environmental run special offers throughout the year and have discounted equipment available for volunteer litter pickers, groups and environmental charities with limited budgets (upto 50% off our RRP). As the manufacturer we will be able to offer you the best price for our sustainable litter picking equipment – so you only have to buy once and work with you to help provide bespoke quotations, sustainable procurement information to support your funding bids.

Our Environmental Team would be happy to help by pointing you in the right direction and supporting you in planning your clean up activity. Our FREE Volunteer Litter Guide Toolkit is full of useful hints and tips on how to conduct a successful event.

For further assistance, please call us on 01531 635678 or email sales@helpinghand.co.uk

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am part of a community group. Do I qualify for any discount?
At Helping Hand, we often support community groups in their clean up campaigns and have special discounted order forms for supporters of our environmental charities and for groups or schools with limited budgets. We have even donated products and taken part in litter picking campaigns ourselves. We also gift aid back on the sale of our goods to national environmental charities to support the good work they do. Please contact the Environmental Team for the latest offers/special discounts.

I have a certain amount of people in my clean up group. How much equipment do I need?
We can tailor orders to support your group need/size of groups. Our standard kits are available in singles, up to 10 people, or up to 30 people. You can store away and reuse each litter picking kit after every clean up, ensuring the equipment is there for you whenever you need it. We also supply equipment in single units and as combi versions for adults and children, families to litter pick together – so whatever your litter picking activity, we can supply you with the correct equipment to enable you to litter pick safely! Helping Hand can also personalise your products to promote your campaign or group.