Why is Forestry England removing bins from forest centres?
We’re removing litter bins from our forest centres and asking visitors to take their litter home with them. By doing this, we're taking an important step to better protect wildlife and preserve the nation’s forests for current and future generations to enjoy.
Litter bins often cause problems. They can quickly become mixed with different types of waste, may be vandalised, or fill up faster than we can empty them. They also attract wildlife, especially when people leave their litter on the ground nearby. Animals can mistake this litter for food, harming themselves and spreading waste further across the forest.
Litter spoils our landscapes, can fuel wildfires, and can stay in the nation’s forests for hundreds of years before it breaks down, causing damage to natural ecosystems.
Each year, we welcome millions of visitors who enjoy exceptional experiences in these beautiful spaces - from walking and cycling trails, to wildlife watching and family adventures. We currently spend hundreds of thousands of pounds annually on waste management alone. By removing bins, and asking visitors to take their litter home with them, we can redirect our limited time and resources into keeping the nation’s forest a thriving resource for everyone.
When will these changes take place?
These changes will start to take place from spring 2025. Forest centres will have notices in place to communicate to visitors which bins are being removed and when.
Are all bins being removed?
No. Some dog waste bins will remain in some locations across our forests, though their locations are being reviewed. Cafe waste bins within cafe areas will also remain and will be available for cafe customers only.
Why are you choosing to keep some dog bins?
We're delighted that many people enjoy our forests with their four-legged friends. To help everyone adjust to our long-term goal of a 'leave no trace' approach across all our sites, we're making this change gradually. We'll keep dog waste bins at some of our locations for now, while encouraging all visitors to get into the habit of taking their waste home with them. This approach will help us all work together to keep our forests clean, safe and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
What about bins in toilets for hand towels, sanitary waste, and nappies?
We will continue to provide specialised waste bins in toilet facilities:
- where paper towels are provided in toilets, bins for paper towels only will continue to be provided.
- sanitary waste (which includes items like nappies, incontinence pads, and sanitary towels) is classed as municipal offensive waste. Bins specifically for the separation and collection of sanitary waste will continue to be provided in toilets.
Has bin removal successfully worked in other natural spaces across Britain?
Many of Britain's most beautiful natural spaces are already successfully operating without bins, including several forests we manage, and sites run by other organisations. Responsible visitors to the countryside are taking their litter home, demonstrating that this approach works. We're providing clear guidance and advance notice to help visitors prepare for this change. This approach aligns with the Countryside Code and helps protect the nation's forests.
How will this affect visitors?
Visitors will need to plan ahead and bring a bag to take their litter home. Some dog waste bins and cafe facilities will still be available in designated areas. We're providing clear information about these changes well in advance.
What should visitors bring with them?
Please bring a bag to take your litter home with you. Wherever possible, use reusable containers for snacks and drinks.
What about families with young children or people with accessibility needs?
We understand that carrying litter may be challenging for some visitors, particularly families with young children and people with accessibility needs. To support everyone, all cafe areas will maintain their waste facilities for customer use. Public toilets and baby changing facilities will also keep their bins. There will be clear signage and information is available to help all visitors plan their visits effectively.
How are you informing visitors about these changes?
We're providing clear guidance and advance notice to help visitors prepare for this change, including on-site signage and notices, website updates and social media communications.
How will this help the environment?
Removing litter bins helps protect our natural environment in several specific ways. Without bins as collection points, there's less risk of wildlife being attracted to and harmed by concentrated waste areas or scattered litter. It also reduces the risk of bin fires that can damage surrounding habitats. And when people take their litter home, it's more likely to be properly sorted for recycling, rather than all waste being mixed together in public bins. This approach helps preserve our landscapes while improving our overall waste management and recycling efforts.
Why are taxpayers getting fewer services while being expected to do more themselves?
With only 10% of our funding coming from the government, we need to raise the remaining funds ourselves to care for the forests we all love. This initiative isn't about reducing services; it's about encouraging visitors to help us protect wildlife and the environment by taking their rubbish home, where it can be sorted for recycling. In doing this, we can focus our limited resources on ensuring the nation’s forests thrive and remain special places for everyone to enjoy.
Each year, millions of visitors enjoy exceptional experiences in these beautiful spaces - from walking and cycling trails, to wildlife watching and family adventures. Our priority is to continue delivering and enhancing these fantastic visitor experiences while caring for the forests.
Where can visitors find more information?
Detailed information is available on our website, at forest centres, and on our social media channels. We're also providing a QR code on-site that links to comprehensive guidance about these changes in advance, during the process and after bin removal.