Picking up litter can boost mental health, Southern Cross University study finds

When Janet Aitchison moved from New York City to the NSW Central Coast town of Avoca Beach four years ago, she knew she wanted to be involved in environmental issues. 

What she was not expecting was how her commitment to removing rubbish from her local beach would boost her mental wellbeing.

"I heard about [the environmental charity] Take 3 for the Sea and it immediately struck a chord with me because it's so easy for every person when they're walking out on the beach, in the park, wherever they are to just pick up three pieces of rubbish and put them in the bin," Ms Aitchison said.

"For everybody, but particularly me because I'm relatively new to Australia, it's been great for meeting people and making friends.

A study by Southern Cross University has found a link between mental wellbeing and actions to remove or reduce waste, like picking up litter or recycling.

Study lead Royce Willis said contributing to the health of the planet helped people feel they had a level of control at a time when some people were becoming distressed about the state of the environment.

"Research shows some people do feel those environmental issues and close down a bit, and that's when their mental wellbeing can go down," Dr Willis said.

"Being able to do something like going out and picking up plastic or even getting into groups and seeing that there's a combined effort to make a difference is definitely part of it."

Connection to nature

Clinical psychologist John Irvine has seen the evidence firsthand.

"Doing something that contributes to the wellbeing and wellness of other individuals and the planet is good for the psyche," he said.

"It makes sense."

Dr Irvine primarily works with children and families. 

He said the importance of feeling connected to nature should not be underestimated.

Graham Johnston runs another not-for-profit environmental group dedicated to cleaning up waterways on the NSW Central Coast, Clean4Shore.

He works with students from a range of backgrounds including marine biology, environmental science, and high school support units.

"They thrive on it," he said.

"There's team building, it inspires them, [and it requires] masses of self-confidence just to go and do the task.

"It's always smiles on faces when they've done a difficult task."

Encouraging others to play a role

For Janet Aitchison, picking up rubbish has become almost second nature.

"I do it wherever I go," she said.

"Once you feel like you're part of the movement it's very hard to stop taking three [pieces of litter].

"Wherever I go now, I tend to do it and the great thing that I find is that other people see me do it and they say 'Hey! I'm picking up three as well!'"

She hoped more people would find comfort in being part of the pollution solution.

"[Plastic pollution is] a big concern and I think everybody feels a little bit powerless because no one individual can make a big change," Ms Aithison said.