Trash Free Trails is a non-profit organisation providing the tools and inspiration to clean our environment from Single-Use Pollution*.

*More colloquially known as litter. But 'litter' is neither a suitable, nor accurate, term for the harmful single-use products entering our environment. So we call it what it is - pollution.

Our definition for 'SUP' is: Any mass consumption product/s or related materials, manufactured to be used once, that have escaped the recognised waste disposal infrastructure and / or processes as a result of being discarded, disposed of, abandoned or lost within or adjacent to the ecosystems that recreational trails exist within.

Our Story

Trash Free Trails was born on January the 8th 2017 when Dom first posted on Instagram (it got 34 likes!) Through his work at Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) - Dom saw first hand the quickly growing awareness around tackling marine plastic pollution, but care for our terrestrial wild places was somewhat silent in comparison. And so began our mission to solve this.

2019 saw Trash Free Trails become registered as a Community Interest Company, and we've grown ever since. While it sometimes seems like the crisis of single-use pollution is never ending, we remain faithful. With the help of our inspiring community of riders, runners and roamers we know we can achieve a trash free future.

Our work covers local and international community action, research, events, campaigning and storytelling. We're taking the most comprehensive approach possible to nature connection and trail stewardship, so we pop up everywhere from parliament to your local pump track in Mid Wales.

Whatever the day and wherever our mission takes us, we always come back to what we started with, empowering and enabling community-led environmental action, all through the act of removing trash from our trails.

Trash Free Trails Impact to Date

532,203

individual items of single-use

pollution removed

13,561km

of recreational trails

cleared

78%

people feeling more connected

to nature after participating

with thanks to the State of our Trails Report

Meet The Team

The beating drum within Trash Free Trails, all bound by our addiction to picking up single-use pollution. What started out as one guy on a mission has blossomed into a small but mighty team of individuals championing wild places everywhere.

A unit when together and even stronger when apart, at Trash Free Trails we get our hands dirty, we practise what we preach, we go adventure, we get lost, we keep each other accountable, we do exactly what teams are for, help achieve a common mission.

Dom

Founder & CEO

The Dom-tastic approach to life seeps into every bone of his body and subsequently flows into his work with a drive like no other. Currently undertaking his master thesis whilst making waves with TFT he is an inspiration to us all. And on top of that still manages to maintain those luscious locks! Striving to make a difference wherever he goes, one trail clean at a time.

Rich

Associate Director

A super keen rider and avid roamer (who has recently discovered the joys of running) with a background in event management, this 6'4" lump's passion for connection of all kinds, physical activity and nature is palpable. With his merit-classified MSc in Psychology of Mental Health, we've been able to make huge progress on the wellbeing of all of our projects.

Rach

Communications Manager

The bread to our vegan butter, Rach has a way with words that not even a thesaurus knows how to compete with. Passionate for all things community - and synonyms of community driven work, she’s eager to spend as much time outside as possible. With a Masters in Movement, Mind & Ecology and changing her middle name to fairy, she's a bundle of joy to the team.

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Leigh

Community Coordinator

Leigh can be found most at home in the mountains, or more commonly known as with Blundstone boots on. With a camera in his hand he can make anything possible, a true gift that keeps on giving with over 10 years experience working in the outdoor industry, and being a mountain leader (classic). He is a wavemaker for community-led action.

Heather

Research Coordinator

An absolute force to be reckoned with when on two wheels. Heather is unstoppable when she puts her mind to something. Bringing a background in environmental science, and geospatial data analysis, she hopes to inspire others to reap the benefits of our wild places. Oh AND of course she's a mountain bike coach and leader on any day ending in y.

Ben

Research Assistant

Ben, the man with the plan, giving Bob the builder quite literally a run for his money. Hopping on board the TFT Team during his placement year whilst studying Marine Biology he was (and still is!) keen to get stuck in wherever he can. Completing 12 ultra marathons, whilst claiming to be a 'mountain biker', his physical and mental limits appears to know no bounds...

Sarah-Jane

Digital Community Activator

Known as SJ out on the trails, wherever she's going - she's running. Some would say away from her problems, others would say towards new opportunities. With a degree in Industrial Design under her belt, she became hungry for using her creativity to inspire change. In doing so picked up a camera and started collecting single-use pollution at the same time.

Sophie

Nature Connection Specialist

What do you get if you mix a yoga instructor and a self proclaimed research nerd together? The superhero that is Sophie! With that cheeky grin accompanying any yellow accessory she can get her hands on, that's a lethal combo to brighten the day of anyone she meets. All whilst bringing to life our KTP with Edinburgh Napier University. Not all heroes wear capes, they wear yellow hats.

Jasmine

Research Officer

When Jasmine hits the trails, you know she’ll have a fresh batch of baked goods easily accessible in her bag. Keeping the hunger at bay is (understandably) on par with keeping the trails free of SUP. Naturally, Jasmine likes to soak up time by the sea when she's not studying Marine Biology at Bangor University, or even doing judo and salsa! Limitless.

Chloe

Research Officer

A natural lover of everything outside, Chloe has an observant eye for all types of hills and seas, as well as plants to manatees! Joining TFT for her placement year while studying Marine Biology & Oceanography, Chloe can be found walking dogs or paddleboarding, but here at TFT she is carrying out research to on the influencing factors of our data collection in coastal areas!

Meet Our Non-Executive Directors

While the scallywags above look after the day to day at TFT, we're powered by a much greater ecosystem who support the strategic planning of our work, and hold us accountable to our mission. Our Non-Executive Directors support long-term decision making and the team as we pursue our Vision for cleaner trails.

James Perrott

James works alongside social enterprises and small businesses as a coach, consultant, and director, helping organisations to build sustainable foundations and grow.

Ali Hair

From Stirling, Scotland, Ali leads the Cambu Trail Collective and has been an A-Teamer for 4 years, as well as lead for the TFT Approved Scheme launched in 2023. Ali’s worked in the UK and Local Government for over 15 years.

Jo Shwe

Jo is an educator, mountain biker and Co-Director of Trail Rippers. A self-named 'passionately positive person', Jo initiated and designed our first educational offer, the TrashMob Academy, in 2020. She's been an A-TEAMer ever since.

Meet Our Steering Group

The intention of our Steering Group is in the name - they help guide us towards our north star, our Vision, and hold as paramount our community in that journey.

Louise Allen

Educated as an engineer, Louise discovered the joys of working in schools when she moved to Cornwall, joining the team at Surfers Against Sewage as a Fundraiser. Louise brings her care of the big picture and the team to her role with us.

Tom Hutton

Younger than he looks and older than he acts, Tom is a dad, husband and ageing athlete. You'll find Tom riding, running, swimming and surfing on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in Australia. He shares his passion for protecting our outdoor playgrounds to the team.

Tom Hague

Tom has been helping build impactful social enterprises that benefit people and planet for over 12 years, spanning housing, construction, climate education, and his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu project. He brings his experience to helping grow TFT.

Rupert Barry

Based in the Welsh Borders, Rupert works in communications in forestry. A key interest is human-nature relationships, and how people relate to places through stories and signals that stir feelings and spark actions. He shares with us his passion for storytelling.

Manon Carpenter

Manon is a mountain bike ambassador for Patagonia, earth science PhD researcher, and board member of IMBA Europe with a background in competition, online media production and community engagement.

David Smith

David is an accomplished environmental campaigner and policy expert, recognised for his work on numerous issues including, pollution, water quality, land use, and species recovery. His passion for thriving nature is invaluable for our work.

Andrew Wang

Emily Dowdeswell

As Director of Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination, Emily works with artists to bring communities into their local landscapes, nurturing stronger connections through the power of simple materials and local ecologies. Her championship of community is invaluable as we grow TFT.

Tom Campbell

Ryan Cooper Henniker

Ryan Cooper Henniker is founder of Intent*, supporting purpose-led brands and communities through meaningful partnerships. He brings 15 years’ experience, including Senior Global Brand Partner at LEGO and work heading up Reebok global at M&C Saatchi.