Introducing our litter campaign: Make Memories, Not Mess

As summer settles in and people head to Wales’s stunning beaches, parks and beauty spots, we are urging everyone to make memories, not mess.

Litter continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment. Recent figures reveal that fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6% – a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales. Whether you’re heading to the coast for a swim, enjoying a countryside walk, or just soaking up the sunshine in your local park, the message is simple: if you bring it with you, take it home.

“Our parks, beaches and green spaces are at the heart of what makes Wales so special. We all have a part to play in looking after them. “It’s simple: if you bring it with you, take it home. Let’s enjoy everything Wales has to offer this summer, without spoiling the experience for others or harming the environment. Let’s make memories, not mess.”

Owen Derbyshire
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive

In a fresh twist for 2025, Keep Wales Tidy is teaming up with local content creators across Wales, to help spread the message to new audiences on social media.

Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator Joe Wilkins is backing the campaign as part of his ‘Sandwich with a View’ series.

“As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. Let’s make memories, not mess.”

Joe Wilkins
Content Creator

How you can get involved

Everyone can play a part in protecting Wales’s beautiful places this summer. Here’s how you can get involved:

Take your litter home – When bins are full or not available, the best thing you can do is take your rubbish with you and leave no trace behind.
Tag us in your adventures – Share your photos as you explore Wales’s incredible parks, beaches and green spaces. Tag @KeepWalesTidy on social media.
Use the hashtags – Join the conversation by using #MakeMemoriesNotMess or #MakeMemories in your posts.
Help promote the campaign – Want to do more? Visit our Brandbag to download free campaign materials, including social media graphics and posters. You can visit our brand toolkit for more information and messaging ideas.

Funded by Welsh Government, the campaign aims to spark a sense of pride and collective responsibility across Wales – proving that even small changes in behaviour can make a big difference to the places we love and share.

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