KFC Ballymena crowned litter-picking champions during Great British Spring Clean

The local team outside KFC Ballymena before litter pick

A team of local fast-food workers has swapped fryers for refuse bags—and come out on top—after KFC Ballymena was crowned litter-picking champion in a nationwide clean-up effort.

During this year’s Great British Spring Clean, 11 team members from the KFC restaurant at Larne Road Link took to the streets of Ballymena, collecting an impressive 14 bags of rubbish in a determined bid to tidy their community.

Local pride shines in national challenge

KFC Ballymena went head-to-head with teams from Beckton, Cardiff and Greater Glasgow, all competing to make the biggest impact in their local areas.

The Ballymena crew emerged as standout performers, underlining a strong sense of local pride and community responsibility.

Their efforts not only helped clean up local streets but also placed Ballymena firmly on the map in a UK-wide initiative focused on tackling litter and improving public spaces.

More than a one-off clean-up

The activity forms part of KFC’s broader, year-round commitment to reducing litter. This includes daily litter picks carried out by restaurant teams, financial support for local litter-picking groups, and ongoing investment in more—and larger—bins in and around KFC locations.

By embedding these efforts into everyday operations, the company aims to create a lasting impact beyond organised campaigns like the Great British Spring Clean.

Community impact

For Ballymena, the achievement highlights how small, coordinated actions can lead to visible change. With 14 bags of rubbish removed in a single effort, the initiative demonstrates the tangible difference local teams can make when they step beyond their usual roles.

As environmental awareness continues to grow, initiatives like this show how businesses and communities can work hand-in-hand to keep towns cleaner, greener, and more welcoming.

At a glance

• KFC Ballymena named litter-picking champions during the Great British Spring Clean

• 11 staff members took part in the clean-up effort

• Team collected 14 bags of rubbish from local streets

• Competed against KFC teams in Beckton, Cardiff and Greater Glasgow

• Part of KFC’s wider year-round anti-litter campaign

• Includes daily litter picks, grants to community groups, and improved bin provision

• Highlights strong community spirit and local environmental action

• Demonstrates impact of coordinated clean-up efforts in Ballymena