Bedford Borough Council has announced a Community Litter Pick event taking place in Bedford town centre on Sunday 10th August 2025, 10am- midday. This initiative invites residents of all ages to come together to help clean and care for our town centre, from Riverside Square through to St Cuthbert’s Street.
Building on the great success of the recent Rivercare litter pick, which saw over 180 volunteers collecting large amounts of rubbish along Bedford’s riverside, this event offers another fantastic opportunity for local people to come together and make a positive environmental impact. Participants can also enjoy a healthy walk, make new friends, and strengthen community bonds while showing their pride and support for our town centre.
All necessary equipment, including bags, litter pickers, rings, gloves, and high-visibility vests, will be provided to volunteers. Children under 18 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult to ensure safety. A detailed map of the litter pick area will be shared with registered participants closer to the event date.
Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity (inc. Town Centres), said, “Our Rivercare events have shown just how powerful community spirit can be in keeping Bedford beautiful. We’re excited to bring that same energy to the town centre litter pick. It’s a chance not only to improve our environment but also to meet new people, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate what makes Bedford special.”
This community event supports Bedford Borough Council’s dedicated environmental services team, who work tirelessly every day to keep Bedford Borough clean and welcoming. They maintain and empty over 1,700 bins across Bedford Borough, carry out street cleaning to remove litter and detritus, and respond promptly to reports of fly-tipping and other waste issues. Residents are encouraged to help by reporting any litter or waste problems they see on council-owned land at www.bedford.gov.uk/ReportIt – this helps the team target their efforts efficiently and keep Bedford looking its best all year round.
Residents are encouraged to register at markets@bedford.gov.uk The litter pick will start from the new Visitor Information Centre, based in the old Debenhams building, on Silver Square.
