Keeping Chelmsford’s environment clean and tidy is a community effort. While the council sweeps the streets and empties bins, it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep our surroundings clean and litter-free.
There are lots of things to do in Chelmsford to show the city and its nature some love. You don’t have to live here – you might work in the city, go to a school in Chelmsford or just visit the place a lot.
Two rivers run through the heart of our city: the Chelmer and the Can. They’re home to all kinds of Essex wildlife and plants and keep areas like Central Park green and lush. Keeping the rivers free of rubbish can be a challenge. Litter, supermarket trolleys, bicycles and even mannikins have been found polluting the riverbed! That’s why Love Your Chelmsford organises River Clean-Ups twice a year.
Community litterpick events are a great excuse for some fresh air, exercise and to earn that ‘feel good feeling’ by volunteering in Chelmsford. Chelmsford City Council holds plenty of litterpicks at the request of residents, but they aren’t the only litterpicking events. Parish councils, scout groups and the Co-Operative are just some of the helping hands who organise litter picks across the area. You can see if any litter picks are coming up on the Events page.
If community litterpick events are not for you, but you want to pick up any pesky rubbish you see on your daily walk or carry out your own litterpick for an afternoon, you can hire litter picking equipment from the city council for free. This is a popular option for dog walkers and families who enjoy walking at weekends. Please click here to book litter picking equipment.
Street art is a wonderful way to engage with the community and help to make public walkways more attractive and feel safer. There are many underpasses within the Borough that used to be dark and full of unpleasant graffiti.
Schoolchildren and adult community groups have inspired us to brighten up the underpasses with something a bit nicer: stunning, bright-coloured artwork! You can see a lovely example of this work, featuring some favourite Chelmsford landmarks, on the underpass entrance into Central Park. If you know of a place that you think could do with some street art, or if you’re an artist looking for a project, please contact us.
Love Your Chelmsford supports anti-litter campaigns to raise awareness and protect our environment. Litter hurts wildlife, it’s ugly and unhealthy, and it costs Chelmsford taxpayers thousands of pounds to remove each year. That’s money that could be spent on helping families who are threatened with homelessness or helping local small businesses. You could help us by following the Love Your Chelmsford Facebook or Instagram page and sharing our campaigns with your friends.
Litter that causes a problem in Chelmsford includes:
All littering offences, big or small can equal a fixed penalty fine. For example, littering personal waste in a public place, like dropping a crisp packet or plastic bottle in a park is a £150 fine there and then. Click here to find out more.
Chelmsford is naturally beautiful. We’re lucky to have lots of parks and to be surrounded by beautiful Essex countryside. Thank you to all of our green guardians and helping hands in the Chelmsford community. Together we keep Chelmsford green.
If you know of an area in Chelmsford, South Woodham Ferrers or the surrounding villages that needs some TLC, or if you would like to report a fly tip, then please click here.
