Derby City Council is supporting the Great British Spring Clean 2026, encouraging residents, schools, businesses and community groups to take part in litter picks, planting activities and neighbourhood tidy-ups taking place across the city between 13 and 29 March. 

Led nationally by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the campaign brings people together to tackle litter, improve local spaces and show pride in the places where they live.  

In Derby, volunteers, community organisations and BIDs will collaborate with neighbourhood teams and street cleansing crews to organise activities such as litter picks, planting projects, road and pavement sweeping, deep cleans and neighbourhood clean-ups. More than 30 events have already been confirmed. 

Sarah Chambers, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Safety, said:

This campaign is a fantastic opportunity for unity in the community, encouraging residents across Derby to come together and make a visible difference in their local areas. Whether it’s joining a litter pick, helping organise a neighbourhood clean-up or encouraging others to get involved, these small actions help strengthen community spirit and show pride in where we live.

Raynesway HWRC  

Spring often inspires residents to have a good clear out at home too. As a result, the council expects increased demand at Raynesway Household Waste Recycling Centre during the campaign period and throughout spring and summer. Residents are encouraged to book a slot in advance where possible to avoid waiting times. While Sunday visits do not require a booking, they are often the busiest and queues are common. 

Fly-tipping reminder  

The council is also reminding residents to dispose of unwanted items responsibly during spring clear-outs. In some cases, people pay someone to remove waste without checking whether they are licensed, only for it to be illegally fly-tipped elsewhere. If waste is traced back to the household that produced it, the resident could face enforcement action, including fines. Before handing over waste to a private collector, residents should always ask for their waste carrier licence number and check it on the Environment Agency’s public register. 

Below is a list of events confirmed at the time of publication, which will take place in parks, neighbourhood centres and public spaces across the following areas: 

Locality 1 - Chaddesden North, East, West, Oakwood and Spondon wards 

  • 14 March, 12-2pm – Linear Park

Locality 2 - Sinfin and Osmaston ward

  • 13 March, morning - Allenton Library
  • 17 March, morning - Somersal Close play area
  • 19 March, morning - Sinfin Moor Park and Sinfin Rec
  • 26 March, morning - Allenton District Centre
  • 26 March, morning – Booth Street

Locality 3 - Normanton, Arboretum and Abbey Wards 

  • 13 March, 11am - Rykneld Park
  • 16 March, 1:30pm - Arboretum School area
  • 18 March, 10am - Normanton Park
  • 18 March, 4-5pm - Church Street Rec
  • 19 March, morning – Drewry Lane
  • 26 March, 10am - Caxton Park

Locality 4 - Littleover, Blagreaves and Mickleover wards

  • 13 March, 10am – Derby Heights Care Home
  • 14 March, 10am – St Peters Church front door
  • 14 March, 12pm – Oaklands Shops, Blagreaves
  • 14 March, 2pm – King George V Car Park
  • 15 March, 2pm – Dominos, Blagreaves
  • 20 March, 8:30am – Littleover Village Shops
  • 21 March, 10am – Millenium Woods Orchard
  • 21 March, 10am – Varsity Estate, Mickleover
  • 22 March, 2pm – Haven Christian Centre
  • 26 March, 10am – Caxton Park
  • 27 March, 12:30pm – Sunnydale Park, Blagreaves Road
  • 28 March, 9am – Griffe Field Play area
  • 28 March, 10am – Hackwood Estate, Mickleover
  • 28 March, 11am – Sunnydale Park, Playpark area

Locality 5 - Mackworth, Allestree and Darley wards

  • 17 March, 12-1pm – Prince Charles Avenue
  • 18 March, 12-1pm - St Francis, Knightsbridge
  • 22 March, 2pm - Vic Streets
  • 23 March, 3-4pm – Knightsbridge
  • 28 March, 10am - St Francis Church

City centre 

  • 26 March, 1pm – Market Place, City Centre and River Gardens

Residents can get involved by joining local clean-up activities, organising a litter pick with neighbours and sharing their efforts on social media using the hashtags #Derby and #LoveWhereYouLive to inspire others. Further details about events in each area will be shared though local community groups and neighbourhood communications.