Warwick Wins Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge

After building momentum with a Top 3 finish in the past two years, the University of Warwick has won the universities category of the Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge for the first time, recognising the University’s ongoing efforts to reduce litter and protect wildlife on campus and in the local community. The achievement builds on Warwick’s wider leadership in nature and biodiversity, including holding a Gold Award in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme and being a member of the Nature Positive Universities Network.

Running this year from 22nd September until 28th November, the 2025 Challenge saw students and staff members come together to collect rubbish across campus and beyond. Over 90 volunteers contributed to Warwick’s efforts, amassing an impressive 137 bags of litter during the competition period.

The University’s bid was bolstered by ongoing monthly Wednesday Warwick Wombles Litter Picks, plus dedicated additional efforts by the Finance Green Action Team, Estates department and Nature Conservation Volunteers/Warwick Volunteers in collaboration with Canley Green Spaces, whose single litter pick contributed an incredible 59 bags on its own.

The Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge is run by Hedgehog Friendly Campus, a national campaign that helps institutions raise awareness of how litter harms wildlife and motivates people to make their surroundings more hospitable for hedgehogs and other species. Participants collect litter on campus and in the local community over a set period, submitting photographic evidence of each full bag to tally their total.

Dalma Zsalako, Sustainability Assistant (Biodiversity and Ecology), said; "Heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined the monthly Warwick Wombles, organised independent litter picks, and contributed photos and data to the submission. Your passion for creating a safer environment for wildlife and people alike helped secure this brilliant result for 2025."