Last updated: 9 April 2024
Next review: 11 March 2025
We offer lots of green initiatives, which are great for both you and the environment. These schemes are run through our resident group network.
Find out about resident groups.
Adopt a flower bed
Improve the quality of your local environment by adopting a Highways flower bed located along your street, road or avenue. It’s a great way to do your bit for the community by making our borough cleaner and greener. We encourage people to adopt a flower bed through a resident group of no less than five people, which will ensure the flower bed is well maintained even if an individual’s circumstances might change.
If you’re a member of an organisation or resident group and would like to adopt a flower bed please fill in the adopt a flower bed form, and email it to greenspace.volunteers@walthamforest.gov.uk
Applications should be submitted during June, July and August for consideration and approval, so that groups are able to plan what work might be required over the Autumn, and to take advantage of the Bulb Give Away.
If you’re a member of an organisation or resident group and would like to adopt a flowerbed, please fill in the adopt a flower bed form.
Useful links
Big Spring Clean
Every year Waltham Forest’s residents team up to take part in Spring Clean events across the borough, during the first weekend of April. Resident groups are encouraged to organise spring clean events where it’s most needed in their local area. The Council support by providing litter pickers and litter bags which are picked up by the Council`s street cleansing provider. As well as litter picking, volunteers are also provided with plants and other things to further beautify their areas.
Details on how to get involved in this year’s Spring Clean will be advertised here closer to the time.
Big Autumn Clean
The council’s annual Autumn Clean is held during September or October and is a great opportunity for the community to get together, make new friends, and brighten up neighbourhoods and public areas for everyone to enjoy.
Residents groups and community organisations are particularly encouraged to plant bulbs around tree bases, verges, parks and other open spaces. The bulbs were selected due to their naturalising qualities, meaning they will increase in number over the years, as well as to provide an early food source for bees and other important insect species.
Details on how to get involved in this year’s Autumn Clean will be advertised here closer to the time.
Community Litter Picking
A number of local litter picking activities take place during the year. Some are initiated by the Council and others by organisations and resident groups.
The Council offers litter pickers and litter bags to volunteers which are picked up and disposed of by our contractors.
London in Bloom
London in Bloom is a campaign and competition where Boroughs, communities, residents, businesses can work together to improve the environment of London to make a greener, cleaner place to live, work and visit.
London in Bloom's annual competition recognises and rewards participants with Certificates & Trophies at its annual award ceremony. As a council we encourage organisations and resident groups to enter the competition and support their entry through our Spring Clean Event.
We have had entrances from all across the borough from our resident groups. Cleveland Park Residents Association, Love South Chingford, Love North Chingford Gardening Group, Church Hill Road Group, Walthamstow Village in Bloom and Richmond Road Pocket Park all entered at least once in the last two years.
Snow Angels
Snow Angels are residents who volunteer to clear snow and ice from the footways and pathways in their local area. This is an activity you can do on your own or as part of a resident group. We really appreciate help with our winter gritting and snow clearance - especially in those hard to reach places.
If you're interested in becoming a Snow Angel, please fill in the I would like to be a snow angel form.
- Full details about volunteering as a snow angel