Pikker Protocol

pikker - a “protector of the holy river” in Estonian mythology

Pikking roads is only for those with road sense

Pikking is usually done by one person, sometimes by two or more people in a bubble. Roads are for walkers as much as they are for vehicles. But drivers sometimes drive on autopilot using data from previous journeys, and not according to what might lie around the bend today. Keep your eyes and ears open. Use ear buds at your peril.

Litter can be dirty. Use a grabber

This correspondent was occasionally tempted to pick something up by hand and twice got a septic finger necessitating antibiotics. He always uses a grabber now. It can be useful to carry gloves too for the odd times the grabber is not enough.

Make people's day

When our forebears traveled on foot or on horseback, they would greet each other as they passed on the road. It was just too awkward not to. Often we can't see the people in a passing car because the sun is in our eyes and the windscreen is impervious to our gaze, but it still feels nice to give in to our natural urge to acknowledge their (fleeting) presence with a smile, a wave… or a tip of the hat. It makes people’s day. And we need allies!

We need drivers on our side, however fast they drive

Does antisocial driving go hand in hand with littering? If so, it's particularly the speedsters that we want to win over. Charm them as they pass. On the other hand, they may not be litterers at all - some of them may be a mum or dad late for school. They're not bad people.

Carry two bags that are rigid enough to stay open

Use one for stuff that can be emptied straight into your black bin. Use the other for stuff that can be recycled, some of which may need to be rinsed. In the early days, you may find a lot of legacy litter. Take extra bags. Once legacy litter has been cleared, you'll be able to walk at a fast pace and get some worthwhile exercise.

Photograph your haul

A gallery of litter collected in your parish is of use to shock people into action, to educate, or for the media to illustrate a story. Importantly, it is what our sponsors pay for: proof that their adspend is creating value.

So take a moment to photograph your haul and upload it right away to your parish’s Dropbox folder on completing each pik. Eden HQ will then change your pik colour from red to green on your parish calendar.

At then end of each week, we will ensure that your parish status is shown on the #pristineparish map: desert sand, palm green or the coveted royal blue!