Council urges people to take responsibility for their rubbish

Date issued: 22 June 2020

In a bid to crackdown on littering and fly-tipping, Colchester Borough Council is urging residents to make sure they dispose of rubbish responsibly, by either holding on to it when a bin is full or taking it home.

Over the last few weeks incidents of littering and fly-tipping have increased across the borough. Whilst local parks and green spaces have been a lifeline for many over recent months, now people are able to spend more outdoors and the town centre is reopening, there is a real risk they will be overtaken with rubbish and litter.

Despite the easing of restrictions, local authorities are still facing immense challenges protecting and supporting those who are vulnerable and shielding, while also trying to maintain essential services. Therefore, the council is calling on everyone to do their bit to keep Colchester clean, by taking their litter home and putting it in the bin and using the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, which asks people to ‘walk your rubbish home’ and ‘exercise compassion’.

The council will also provide local parish councils with resource packs to ensure the message is spread far and wide across the borough.
Several fixed penalty notices have been issued recently due to fly-tipping, with perpetrators identified through items left in the rubbish. Leaving rubbish next to a bin is classed as fly-tipping and where there is enough evidence, anyone caught littering or fly-tipping faces a Fixed Penalty Notice and fine of £100 and could end up with a criminal conviction.

Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment & Transportation, said: “It is unacceptable that people’s enjoyment of our town is spoilt by those who see fit to clutter the pavements with their litter and discarded food. We are not going to let up putting pressure on those who blight our town through littering.

“One of our key priorities is to keep our borough clean and an attractive place to live and visit. Most people work with us and dispose of their litter responsibly. However, if people insist on throwing their litter in the streets or from vehicles, then we will act.

“Key workers deserve our thanks and support for the work they have been doing whilst we stayed home, and now we ask that you show them your gratitude by doing your bit. So please, under any circumstances, do not just leave your rubbish laying around – take it home or put it in the bin. It really isn’t worth the risk of being fined for throwing it in the street.”