Date issued: 11 November 2020
A new campaign is being launched by Colchester Borough Council calling on people to take responsibility for their own litter by taking it home or putting it in a bin rather than throwing it on the borough’s pavements, verges and open spaces.
In a bid to crackdown on increased levels of littering, the council has launched a new hard-hitting campaign asking residents a series of questions via posters and social media posts. These questions include: ‘Does litter make you feel rubbish?’; ‘What’s your dirty secret?’, and ‘Are you a (litter) tosser?
The new campaign aims to encourage more people to do their bit to keep Colchester clean and make them think differently about simply throwing their rubbish on the ground.
During the first national lockdown, the number of incidents of littering and fly-tipping increased across the borough. When the lockdown restrictions eased there was instances of furniture, household waste, asbestos and more being dumped. Now we are in a second national lockdown period, the council is urging residents and visitors in Colchester to play their part in keeping the borough clean and free from litter.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment & Transportation, said: “Not only is littering and fly-tipping unsightly, harmful to the environment and potentially dangerous, it takes time and puts additional strain on our already stretched resources to clear up. 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. The vast majority of 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. 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.”
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. Several Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued recently due to fly-tipping, with perpetrators identified through items left in the rubbish.
The campaign mirrors the steps being taken nationally. The District Councils’ Network, which represents 187 district councils in England, has also been calling on the public to act responsibly, disposing of litter correctly such as by taking it home if bins are full. It is also asking dog walkers to make sure they clean up after their pets.
Last month the council supported the Keep Britain Tidy Great British September Clean 2020. This saw 174 bags of general waste and a further 28 bags of recyclable material being collected at 23 special litter picking events.
Anyone seeing any acts of littering or fly tipping can report it to the council via their website.
Page last reviewed: 11 November 2020