“Cleanliness is not where people clean, but where they don’t litter.” This well-known saying carries a profound truth. The cleanliness of our city, streets, parks, and squares depends not only on municipal services but also on the people living there. In Leeds, efforts are actively underway to preserve the environment and combat climate change. Today, let’s discuss how to keep Leeds clean for as long as possible. Read more about this on leedsname.com.
Leeds Declared a Climate Emergency
When we talk about city cleanliness, we mean not just physical litter but also air pollution. In 2019, Leeds declared a climate emergency, prompting leaders, charitable organizations, and residents to take action. As a result, the city reduced its total emissions by 38% — from 6.3 million to 3.9 million tons of CO2. Additionally, the city council’s carbon footprint decreased by 63%.
However, these achievements would not have been possible without an investment of over £850 million since 2016 in projects aimed at adapting to climate change and reducing emissions.
Initiatives to Improve the Environment
One of the key initiatives involves sourcing electricity from renewable energy, which will reduce emissions by over 30,000 tons. Furthermore, the Leeds City Council adopted an ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions by 55% by 2025 — from 70,000 to 31,000 tons of greenhouse gases.
In 2023, Leeds launched the largest e-bike rental system in the UK, Leeds City Bikes, to reduce car usage and improve air quality. In 2021, the city announced a £100 million investment to enhance energy efficiency in homes, with over £60 million already spent on implementing these projects.
Special attention is given to businesses. The Business Sustainability Scheme supports Leeds enterprises in adopting sustainable practices, helping small and medium-sized businesses reduce their carbon footprint and improve climate resilience. As of 2025, 94 businesses have already benefited from this initiative.
Tips for Leeds Residents to Keep the City Clean
While government and community organization projects are crucial, local residents must also follow certain recommendations. Here are a few tips to help keep Leeds clean:
- Clean up in public spaces. This may seem basic, but not everyone follows this rule. Trash is often left in parks, squares, playgrounds, and other public areas.
- Sort your waste. Leeds has a well-developed system for collecting recyclable materials — paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Responsible sorting helps reduce landfill waste.
- Avoid littering near water bodies and green zones. This preserves the city’s ecosystem and makes parks more enjoyable for recreation.
- Participate in city clean-ups and eco-events. Leeds regularly organizes park and street cleaning events where everyone can contribute.
- Support initiatives to install additional bins and containers in crowded areas.
- Teach your children. Explain to them the importance of picking up after themselves and using trash bins. However, children are more likely to adopt these habits if they see their parents setting an example. As the saying goes, “Don’t raise children; raise yourself.”
These are just a few of the rules and recommendations for protecting the environment. These simple actions should be carried out by every resident to maintain the cleanliness of our city. We hope this article has been informative and encouraged you to take action.
