{"id":22562,"date":"2026-05-08T11:49:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T11:50:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:50:16","slug":"why-litter-is-a-symptom-of-our-growing-disconnection-from-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/why-litter-is-a-symptom-of-our-growing-disconnection-from-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Litter is a Symptom of our Growing Disconnection from Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<header id=\"block_4b2bc344b53ae01da406d4c988a73084\" class=\"SingleHero skip-lazy default\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"SingleHero__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/uk-hiking\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/family-activities\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFamily activities\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/wellbeing\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWellbeing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/sustainability\/\" class=\"category\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSustainability\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"SingleHero__title\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy Litter is a Symptom of our Growing Disconnection from Nature\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center align-items-center SingleHero__author\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic-150x150.jpg\" class=\"avatar wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Hilary Pullen\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"SingleHero__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished on \t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2026-05-08T11:49:38+00:00\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">May 8, 2026<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dot\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t7 min read\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SingleHero__thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails.jpg\" class=\"attachment-hd size-hd wp-post-image\" alt=\"a man collecting litter in bluebell woods\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<article id=\"block_5cf23cb349f7622fbcaaca0a77685f87\" class=\"Universal Universal--post c-small default pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerBlocks\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lead\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Trash Free Trails is shifting the conversation about litter in nature away from blame and towards connection, evidence and long term change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I caught up with Sarah Jane Brown from Trash Free Trails to talk about the work happening beyond the grabbers and bin bags. At first glance, their mission looks familiar with smiling volunteers heading out onto footpaths, picking up what does not belong, and leaving places better than they found them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But this team of volunteers is actually doing things very differently and using science and data to make real change and expose the growing crisis of disconection with our environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_2cb54254f41ebc715db581ec9c1c4344\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe&#8217;re tackling a crisis of disconnection&#8230;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cNo one will protect what they don&#8217;t care about, and no one will care about what they haven&#8217;t experienced\u201d &#8211; David Attenborough<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<p>Trash Free Trails is not just about cleaning up. It is about understanding why litter appears in the first place, how it spreads, and what actually changes behaviour in the outdoors. From detailed data collection to behaviour science experiments like &#8216;nudge theory&#8217;, their work is shifting the conversation away from blame and towards connection, evidence and long term change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-pete-scullion-3.jpg\" alt=\"cans and plastic bottles left in nature\" class=\"wp-image-22566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-pete-scullion-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-pete-scullion-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-pete-scullion-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Litter is not the problem they are trying to solve. It is a signal of something deeper.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you tell us a little bit about how Trash Free Trails came about.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Trash Free Trails was born out of a pure love for protecting the outdoor playgrounds that give us so much. Trails aren\u2019t just places we go to explore, they\u2019re essential for wellbeing, community and connection. Those that use these places have a huge role to play in keeping them clean, and inspiring others to do the same. Here we discover how one individual with the help of an army of likeminded friends has done just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dom Ferris, the Founder of Trash Free Trails, was previously the Head of Community and Engagement at marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage. Dom, also a mountain biker, saw first hand how quickly the awareness around tackling marine plastic pollution was growing, but care for our terrestrial wild places was somewhat silent in comparison. And so began his journey to grow understanding and action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-joby-newson-2.jpg\" alt=\"a trash free trails group\n\" class=\"wp-image-22567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-joby-newson-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-joby-newson-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-credit-joby-newson-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019 Trash Free Trails was born &#8211; with a mission to (re)connect people with nature through the simple act of removing single-use pollution from wild places. Since then, it has grown into a community-led movement working across conservation, education, events and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trash Free Trails often talks about litter as a symptom, not the problem itself. What sits underneath it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re tackling a <a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/social-health-5-3-1-guideline\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"22018\">crisis of disconnection<\/a>. Disconnection can stem from a variety of factors, including political relations, sociocultural norms, and industry standards. This disconnection is experienced from an individual level to a societal level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We believe that single-use pollution is a symptom of all levels of disconnection, but particularly a sense of disconnection from society and nature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-copy-of-credit-joby-newson-1.jpg\" alt=\"trash free trails collecting rubbish\" class=\"wp-image-22568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-copy-of-credit-joby-newson-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-copy-of-credit-joby-newson-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-copy-of-credit-joby-newson-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As an example, loss of wildlife is contributing to an \u2018extinction of experience\u2019, resulting in lower levels of connection with nature. Put simply, if we don\u2019t see or experience nature, we are less aware of it, and inevitably feel less \u2018connected\u2019. In a recent study, the UK ranked lowest out of 14 European countries for nature connectedness, and. is currently classified as one of the world&#8217;s most nature depleted countries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of our favourite quotes from one of our favourite people sums this position up perfectly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cNo one will protect what they don&#8217;t care about, and no one will care about what they haven&#8217;t experienced\u201d &#8211; David Attenborough<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And so to get ahead of this problem, we need to enable more people to experience our trails &#8211; because when we experience a place, we build a relationship with it that&#8217;s worth protecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What surprised you most when you first started analysing litter data rather than just collecting rubbish?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>That people can\u2019t believe we actually count everything! For TFT the analysis and collection has always come together, so much so that doing one without the other feels somewhat strange. When you do something for so long, you sometimes forget that people who do it for the first time find it utterly mind-bogglingly fascinating. An example of this comes from a real experience one of our A-TEAMers had during his Spring Trail Clean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_dd2c71576f56400249fbde34fba2e0da\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInvesting time in data collection&#8230;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I went into the spring clean without over advertising it. The Easter holidays hindered the turn out however those that came were really invested in what we were doing. The volunteers didn\u2019t realise how much time I invest in trail cleans and were gobsmacked when they realised that I recorded and counted each item collected. &#8211; TFT A-Team Member<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ytBwNecQBPg?si=_bdBxufH8jX-IlZG&amp;start=9\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In your experience, what actually changes behaviour outdoors, guilt, education, social pressure, or a sense of belonging?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Positive proactive action. Specifically turning anger into action. In 2025 we set up a pilot project called \u2018These Are My Trails\u2019 built on a belief that when people feel connected to a place, they take care of it. We know that traditional anti-litter signage isn\u2019t working. So, we wanted to focus on care as a behaviour in itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"948\" height=\"355\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png 948w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-300x112.png 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-768x288.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Find out more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trashfreetrails.org\/research\/reconnection\">Trash Free Trails Roots to Reconnection Project<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We utilised proven behavioural science approaches, such as nudge theory, to design, install and promote a set of powerfully positive \u2018Signs of Care\u2019 at 10 recreational trail locations across the UK. Installed in curated stages across the changing seasons, our signage focussed on celebrating pro-environmental behaviour and giving a voice to the animals and plants that call those places home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the chosen locations, volunteers gave their time, energy, and creativity to make the project happen and 86% felt it had a positive impact on their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At one site in particular we saw a 90% reduction in single-use pollution. Whilst we\u2019re still managing consistency, the early signs were clear: positive messaging can work, whilst acknowledging the fact that not everyone who walks past a sign will change their behaviour, not everyone will pick up a bag or log their actions. And that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/getoutside39507958bf.blob.core.windows.net\/blobgetoutside39507958bf\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-c-rich-baybutt1.jpg\" alt=\"analysing trash on a collection\" class=\"wp-image-22569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-c-rich-baybutt1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-c-rich-baybutt1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trash-free-trails-c-rich-baybutt1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What common misconceptions do people have about what counts as litter in the outdoors?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When single-use pollution is present in a place, it can encourage further items to be dropped. The same goes for fruit peels and cores &#8211; these all still count as waste so we pick them up and categorise them on our survey sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it might seem straightforward to drop fruit peels, we are no strangers to challenging those to consider the long-term impact of its presence. Not only will it take up to 2 years to break down, it\u2019ll encourage other trail users to drop single-use pollution &#8211; not all of which are organic. A simple way to think about this is \u2018-f it don\u2019t grow, don\u2019t throw\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we don\u2019t get banana trees or orange trees in the UK, dropping their peel alters the pH and the fertility of the environment. This can mean that a small, mountain plant that has adapted to grow in very poor soil is then outcompeted by a more vigorous plant that needs more nutrients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who should take responsibility for single\u2011use pollution, and what role do producers need to play in addressing it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We would love for producers of single-use, mass consumption products to formally acknowledge a shared moral responsibility for single-use pollution, alongside their consumers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-who-is-affected-and-what-to-do\">Extended Producer Responsibility<\/a> (pEPR) is built on a simple concept: the polluter pays. But responsibility doesn\u2019t end with producers and pEPR isn&#8217;t a cue for us to pack up our pickers and move on. Despite our and countless other organisations and volunteers\u2019 efforts, single-use pollution is on the rise &#8211; and that isn\u2019t because we\u2019re picking it up less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_fc4be0da864049d9f33c0736593d1719\" class=\"Inner InnerGoodToKnow\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center jusitfy-content-start\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__icon InnerGoodToKnow__icon--quote\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" width=\"24px\" fill=\"white\"><path d=\"m228-240 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T458-480L320-240h-92Zm360 0 92-160q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 23-5.5 42.5T818-480L680-240h-92Z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe issue is over production&#8230;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"InnerGoodToKnow__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8220;We can\u2019t keep cleaning up the same problem again and again. Volunteer action is powerful, but it was never meant to be the end solution to what is an over-production issue.&#8221; Dom Ferris &#8211; Founder of Trash Free Trails<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the next steps for Trash Free Trails?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Global plastic production is continuing to rise. In 2010 264 million tons of plastic was produced around the world. In 2025 that went up to 460 million tons! Each year we sadly find the same brands on our trails &#8211; something has to change so it&#8217;s not escaping onto our trails in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll never stop trail cleaning &#8211; but we think we should use our voice, the voice of our community, to do it a little differently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trashfreetrails.org\/research\/reconnection\">Roots to (Re)Connection Research Project<\/a>, we&#8217;ll be developing a new style of trail cleaning focused on wellbeing, the human impacts of single-use pollution and how together, we can grow our skills as stewards of our trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_a76bab070e92c2372a831af0ffab94ad\" class=\"Inner InnerButtons\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center justify-content-md-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"InnerButtons__button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trashfreetrails.org\/research\/reconnection\" class=\"Button Button--red \" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFind out how can you get involved\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"Button__arrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g>\n<path d=\"M5 12H19M19 12L12 5M19 12L12 19\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t\t<section id=\"block_23a46c1dd3e5697fb8ff954143379d04\" class=\"GuidesArticles  wave-peach pt-default pb-default mt-none mb-none    \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"GuidesArticlesBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/social-health-5-3-1-guideline\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-1376x540.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"Social Health Hero Image - Two girls laughing\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-1376x540.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-768x302.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic-1536x603.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/social-health-and-loneliness-epidemic.jpg 1892w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/walking\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWalking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/uk-hiking\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/wellbeing\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWellbeing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSocial Health and the 5-3-1 Guidelines\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApril 8, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnderstand the vital role of social health for a happy life and how Hiking Groups with the 5-3-1 approach can help combat loneliness\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/what-is-a-glimmer\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/what-is-a-glimmer.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"a bee on lavendar\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/what-is-a-glimmer.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/what-is-a-glimmer-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/what-is-a-glimmer-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/what-is-a-glimmer-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/wellbeing\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWellbeing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/nature\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNature\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is a Glimmer? How Small Outdoor Moments Can Lift Your Mood\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarch 2, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA glimmer is the opposite of a trigger &#8211; find out how to train your brain to notice these moments of calm and safety\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuides\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ThumbGuidesBox\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/guides\/25-science-backed-benefits-of-hiking\/\" class=\"ThumbGuidesBox__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1376\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/why-hike.jpg\" class=\"image-box__img\" alt=\"3 girls on a hike with phone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/why-hike.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/why-hike-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/why-hike-1024x402.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/why-hike-768x301.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"ThumbGuides__tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/uk-hiking\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHiking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/activities\/wellbeing\/\" class=\"tag\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWellbeing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ThumbGuides__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t25 Science\u2011Backed Benefits of Hiking (and How to Start)\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row ThumbGuides__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 6, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-dot\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"2\" height=\"2\" viewBox=\"0 0 2 2\" fill=\"none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<circle cx=\"1.00049\" cy=\"1\" r=\"1\" fill=\"#A9A29D\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto meta-read\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 min read\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ThumbGuides__desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe share 25 RESEARCH BACKED benefits of hiking for heart, mind and wellbeing, plus easy tips, kit basics and how OS Maps can help you get outside.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"MetaShare\">\n\n\t\t\t<button id=\"likeButton\" data-nonce=\"50b75bdf00\" data-postid=\"22562\" class=\"Button Button--default Button--icon likeButton\"><span class=\"likeButtonText\">Like this guide<\/span><svg width=\"21\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.4947 3.09742C8.5448 1.39335 5.66108 1.04464 3.42166 2.95804C0.999337 5.02773 0.647396 8.5134 2.56291 10.9783C3.29002 11.9139 4.70917 13.3196 6.07302 14.6069C7.45283 15.9092 8.82946 17.1399 9.50834 17.7411C9.51258 17.7449 9.51691 17.7487 9.5213 17.7526C9.58512 17.8092 9.66457 17.8796 9.74074 17.937C9.83194 18.0057 9.96286 18.0909 10.1377 18.1431C10.3701 18.2124 10.62 18.2124 10.8524 18.1431C11.0272 18.0909 11.1581 18.0057 11.2493 17.937C11.3255 17.8796 11.405 17.8092 11.4688 17.7526C11.4732 17.7487 11.4775 17.7449 11.4817 17.7411C12.1606 17.1399 13.5373 15.9092 14.9171 14.6069C16.2809 13.3196 17.7001 11.9139 18.4272 10.9783C20.3353 8.52288 20.0377 5.01032 17.5597 2.95074C15.2954 1.06872 12.4424 1.3927 10.4947 3.09742Z\" fill=\"#186571\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row justify-content-center MetaShareSocial\" aria-label=\"Share\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"X\" class=\"Button Button--default MetaShareSocial__button MetaShareSocial__button--x\" 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fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div id=\"likeCount\" class=\"likeCount\">Liked by <span id=\"likeCountValue\">0<\/span> users<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<hr class=\"MetaShare__hr\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"MetaShareAuthor\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic.jpg\" class=\"MetaShareAuthor__avatar wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic-263x300.jpg 263w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic-897x1024.jpg 897w, https:\/\/osmaps.com\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/profile-pic-768x877.jpg 768w, 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