Baby hedgehog desperately tries to flee discarded litter as RSPCA points plea

On Mar 14, 2026

It’s day one of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean – and there’s never been a better time to help rid your local area of rubbish and save its wildlife. Here’s how…

11:00, 14 Mar 2026

The RSPCA receives 10 calls a day to help animals severely injured by discarded rubbish – highlighting the impact of our littering crisis. But the charity said the figures are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg as many species, such as wild birds, are not always found and has urged people to dispose of packaging carefully, as it can have devastating consequences. It urged Mirror readers to join Keep Britain Tidy’s 11th Great British Spring Clean, taking place from now until March 29th, to rid the country of litter in order to save countless lives – including those of endangered species like hedgehogs, which are already seeing numbers plummet as a result of habitat loss, pesticides, and traffic.

Environment secretary Emma Reynolds is backing the campaign and has asked for volunteers to get involved as “the consequences for wildlife can be devastating” after getting trapped in bottles, jars and cans. Writing exclusively in the Daily Mirror she said: “From a drinks bottle tossed on a footpath to a lorry load of rubble dumped on a country lane, both are doing real harm to our communities and our countryside.

“As we head into the Great British Spring Clean – proudly supported by the Mirror – this is the moment to confront the scale of the challenge and the difference we can make together. The environmental damage from large-scale dumping is profound. Fly-tipped waste pollutes soil, contaminates watercourses and leaves plastics, chemicals and hazardous materials lingering in green spaces for years.”

Recent cases include a baby hedgehog, brought to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk for treatment after being discovered trapped in an uncut tight zip-tie. Weighing only 250g, he had sores in his armpits after desperately trying to escape. The hoglet made a full recovery and was later released back into the wild. Evangelos Achilleos, Wildlife Centre Manager at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, said: “It could have been a very different story for the tiny hedgehog if he hadn’t been discovered, especially as the zip tie was so tight around him.

“This is a stark reminder of how dangerous litter can be for our local wildlife, however big or small. When people are out and about, we urge them to hold onto their litter, until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly – or recycle where appropriate. This small act could save an animal’s life.”

A distressed tawny owl was brought to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset after he was found entangled in a discarded football net. The netting was tightly wrapped around his wings and chest and required careful removal. After vet treatment and 14 nights of recovery he was able to return to the wild.

Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor said: “Sadly, we do see a number of animals who are tangled in netting, and if they go unnoticed, even for a short time, they can really suffer – this could easily be avoided if netting was correctly put away.” A swan was also spotted on the River Thames near Kingston, south west London, struggling to swim, with a fishing line hanging from his mouth. The passer-by who spotted him, contacted the RSPCA who attended, alongside the Swan Sanctuary.

Inspector Mike Beaman, who attended the rescue, said: “Thankfully, we were able to safely capture the swan and remove the link and float that were causing him distress. It could have been a very different outcome if the passerby hadn’t reported this. This incident highlights the very real risk that fishing litter – such as discarded lines and hooks – pose to all kinds of animals.”

Rebecca Machin, wildlife expert at the RSPCA, said: “It’s distressing to see how our native wildlife is being affected by litter, and many of these incidents are completely avoidable. We see the impact of how dangerous litter can be, including at our wildlife centres, where animals have become entangled, or caught up in rubbish. Fishing tackle, cans, bottles, football netting and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a serious danger.”

Littering and fly tipping

Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary, says: “Littering and fly tipping are two sides of the same problem – and both are doing real harm to our communities and our countryside. From a drinks bottle tossed on a footpath to a lorry load of rubble dumped on a country lane. As we head into the Great British Spring Clean – proudly supported by the Mirror – this is the moment to confront the scale of the challenge and the difference we can make together.

Every year, households in England throw away millions of tonnes of rubbish. Much of what isn’t properly disposed of ends up as litter in parks, rivers and eventually our seas. The consequences for wildlife are devastating, with animals becoming trapped in bottles, jars and cans. At the same time, councils are facing record levels of fly tipping. From black bags left in alleyways, to mattresses abandoned on roadsides, this blight is eroding pride in the places we call home. Behind too many of these incidents are organised criminals posing as legitimate waste carriers, pocketing fees from unsuspecting households and businesses.

This is not a victimless crime. It costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds each year to clear up – money that could be spent on supporting schools, social care and frontline services. Local businesses suffer when customers are put off by dirty streets and industrial estates strewn with rubbish.

The environmental damage from large-scale dumping is profound. Fly-tipped waste pollutes soil, contaminates watercourses and leaves plastics, chemicals and hazardous materials lingering in green spaces for years. That is why we are stepping up the fight against waste crime at every level. The Environment Agency has launched an enhanced drone squad to track down illegal dumps, developed a new screening tool to stop waste being moved illegally and bolstered the Joint Unit for Waste Crime with more specialist officers.

We have strengthened guidance to make it clear that councils can and should seize and, where appropriate, crush the vehicles used by repeat fly-tippers. We are improving data-sharing and coordination between local authorities, the police and the Environment Agency to crack down on large-scale illegal waste operations.

We’re also making significant strides in bringing those responsible to justice. This includes a London-based crook being forced to pay £1.4 million for illegal dumping as well as four arrests linked to tipped waste at a site in Kidlington. People deserve neighbourhoods with tidy streets, cared for estates, and inviting green areas. Through the Pride in Place Programme this government is restoring pride in local neighbourhoods enabling them to take control of their futures and bring real change to their communities.

By backing tougher enforcement, closing loopholes and supporting national efforts like the Great British Spring Clean we can send a clear message: working with local government and the police we will crack down on fly tippers and waste criminals.

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HOW TO TAKE PART

The Great British Spring Clean has been running since 2016, with more than 4.5 million bags of litter pledged to be picked during that time. The Daily Mirror is delighted to be joining forces with Keep Britain Tidy for the second year running to support the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign.

So far 46,257 bags have been pledged so far for the clean up which takes place from March 13th-29th. You can take part as an individual or a group. Sign up by visiting keepbritaintidy.org and be part of the solution. It is recommended you use a litter-picker and gloves. You should also wash your hands. Of course, you will also need a bag to put the litter in.