We met Rebecca at the end of March this year, when she attended our litter pick in Newcastle. Rebecca introduced herself as one of our followers on TikTok (@eaglescliffeclp – https://www.tiktok.com/@eaglescliffeclp?_t=ZN-8w8Bw9n1tYM&_r=1 ), where she runs a light-hearted account which aims to increase awareness of the impacts of littering. She came along with all her kit so we could tell she was keen to muck in!
Rebecca describes herself as a litter picking newbie, having volunteered since Spring 2023. When walking her dog one day she spotted a neighbour despairing at a pile of litter on their otherwise clean housing estate. Offering to clean it up, Rebecca nipped home and grabbed a bin bag. The following day Rebecca picked up some more litter on her dog walk, and it soon became the norm. And within a few weeks she’d bought some equipment and found a group to volunteer with in a neighbouring town. A month of so later she realised her town could do with its own group, and so she created a Facebook Group (Eaglesclifffe Community Litter Project – ECLP). Solo litter picking most days, juggling time between her full-time job and family, Rebecca also organises weekly group picks, encouraging people of all ages to take part.
“Starting a group from scratch with very little experience of litter picking felt a bit foolish and it was outside of my comfort zone, but I felt compelled to give it a go. We are very small area with a population of only 10,000 people, so it felt like an achievable goal to keep on top of any mess. Gradually more people have joined the group, and we now have 320 members. I remember turning up to the first group pick and being thrilled and relieved that people had actually turned up! I’d never met them before, and in fact most of our now ‘regular pickers’ I’d never met before starting the group. It’s been brilliant from a social point of view, as it’s brought together fun, like-minded people who care about our community, and from this the ideas flow and we think of new ways of giving back.”
– Rebecca Hassack 2025
Rebecca became a Keep Britain Tidy Litter Heroes Ambassador in 2024 and as a group ECLP now collects over 100 bags of litter each month, and to date has collected almost 1400 bags of rubbish, working with the Council to ensure that equipment and bags are available, and waste is collected promptly. “I feel more connected to national networks with the same shared goal, and much more connected to my local community than I did previously. It’s been great for my mental health, as someone who works from home in front of a screen, and for my physical health, and I’ve lost 7 stone since I started volunteering thanks to all the walking, lifting and carrying!” The waste collected by the group is varied, and its removal is having a positive impact on the local environment. Rebecca explained: “We know that litter breeds litter. We remove the usual rubbish such as bottles, cans, crisp packets, vapes etc., large quantities of builders’ waste from new housing developments, and we have also cleared a lot of legacy waste, including 1980s fly-tipping, from which I’ve developed a huge love for old nostalgic finds. I think we are allowed to feel both love and hate of rubbish as actual objects. Some of the items I have found, including over a dozen old Fairy Liquid bottles, I’ve kept and used in school assemblies, to illustrate that if we litter it can take generations to decompose, and sadly it doesn’t just magically disappear.”
In addition to litter picking ECLP also remove graffiti tags and vape stickers from bins and also paint anti-dog fouling signs on pavements in chalk, in response to requests from members of the public. Rebecca is currently supporting 10 Duke of Edinburgh students who are taking part in volunteer litter picking as part of their Bronze award and has installed two community bins on one problem street, with agreement from the Council.
“We have lots of ideas as a group, of simple ways we can benefit local people. We always try to keep the message positive to inspire people to get involved, rather than complain or point fingers. We want to be seen as proactive, and fun as opposed to interfering or judgemental. So far this is working well. We are engaging with young people, sharing updates at Parish council meetings, engaging with local businesses and encouraging a sense of shared responsibility. We have a good relationship with our Borough Council and want to support their efforts without stepping on their toes. Their resources are stretched and so by supporting each other is has positive results.”
ECLP collaborates with neighbouring litter picking groups, and last month five groups joined forces to tackle a local area in desperate need of a clean-up. Together they removed over 130 bags of waste during one litter pick. Rebecca added: “A lot of people are quick to complain about litter, but we can all play a part. There’s positive news around the upcoming ban on disposable vapes and the eventual launch of the deposit return scheme, which combined should result in a lot less waste on our streets. These are things we will be celebrating, as I believe people respond to good news and raising awareness shouldn’t be about just highlighting the negatives.” “We have our challenges. We don’t receive any funding or coverage, and we have a way to go in terms of engaging with some local representatives and bodies. We also have a litter ‘grot spot’ on private, but unregistered land. There is no one recorded as owning the land on the land registry and therefore it mounts up and there’s nothing we can do to address it, despite speaking with the authorities. I think with volunteering you have to be persistent and optimistic that it will work out.”
“Overall, I am pleased with where we’ve got to in two years. It goes to show that even if your short of time, resources and budget, good things can be achieved if you have the right collective drive and determination. It comes down to loving where you live, and that’s what makes the group a success. People with a passion for their community.”
At Life’s a Beach, we’re constantly inspired by passionate individuals like Rebecca who go above and beyond to make a real difference in their communities! Her dedication, creativity, and tireless effort are a shining example of what can be achieved when someone cares deeply about their local environment. Eco warriors like Rebecca don’t just clean up litter – they spark movements, bring people together, and create change. We’re proud to celebrate and support the incredible work being done by volunteers across the country, and we believe stories like Rebecca’s remind us all that small actions, can lead to big impacts. Thank you to Rebecca for agreeing to feature on our blog – you inspire us every day!
