Communities encouraged to get involved in Great Big Green Week 2026

We're encouraging residents, community groups and businesses to get involved in Great Big Green Week 2026, taking place from 6-14 June, as communities across the UK come together to take action for nature, the climate and cleaner, greener neighbourhoods. 

Great Big Green Week is the UK's largest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect the environment, with more than a million people expected to take part nationwide. 

Throughout the year, we have worked alongside residents and community groups to help keep the borough clean, safe and sustainable. During 2025/26, council teams responded to: 

• 1,122 graffiti issues 

• 1,817 requests for tree maintenance 

• 1,617 reports of dog fouling 

• 571 requests for road repairs 

• More than 13,000 tonnes of recycling collected from blue bins 

• 14,447 tonnes of garden waste collected 

These figures highlight both the scale of the work taking place across Gateshead and the importance of everyone playing their part in caring for the local environment. 

We'd like to shout out the many volunteer groups and organisations across Gateshead that regularly organise litter picks, environmental improvement projects and community clean-up activities. Their commitment and dedication is fantastic and we are truly grateful to everyone who gives their time to help keep the borough looking great.  

We'd also like to remind residents to use public bins when out and about, dispose of household waste correctly and never throw litter from vehicles. Small actions taken by many people can have a significant impact on reducing pollution, protecting green spaces and creating neighbourhoods that everyone can be proud of. 

If you'd like to volunteer, you can contact one of the many volunteer groups running across Gateshead, usually found on social media, or sign up here.