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Monday 19 July 2010

“It is the scourge of the modern age. We live in a beautiful county that at times is trashed by litter.” That’s the reaction of Andy Boddington, Chairman of CPRE Shropshire in response to today’s news from Keep Britain Tidy that the nation’s litter bill has soared by £100 million in just one year.
Today (Monday 19 July) Keep Britain Tidy announce that the cost of clearing up Britain’s litter epidemic has risen by almost £100 million (10 percent) in just one year. That’s an £858 million bill for our throwaway culture. It's £14 for every person in the UK.

Mcdonalds takeway debris at Felton Butler		Litter on the banks of the Severn in Shrewsbury

Andy continues: “Nothing is more infuriating and unnecessary than litter. What on earth is in people’s minds when they cast wrappers to the ground and into the wind? As I walk around the county, I am forever stumbling across takeaway cartons, drink cans and plastic bags. If people bring packaging into the countryside, why don’t they take it home with them? Why do people toss takeaway cartons onto the streets of our towns rather put them in the bin? Our beautiful hills, valleys and towns bring great pleasure to the people that live here and bring thousands of tourists into Shropshire. We must stop them being defaced by litter.”

On Wednesday, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet is expected to approve a series of measures to tackle the growing litter menace. They include an education and awareness programme, and greater enforcement of fines (http://is.gd/dsIfo).

Andy Boddington concludes: “We support the Council’s actions but it is worrying there are no costs attached to the proposals before the Cabinet. CPRE is very concerned that Shropshire Council will agree this sensible policy only to axe it as budget cuts bite harder. Ultimately, it may be best for communities to take matters into their own hands and organise regular litter picks.”

Notes

In March 2010, Shropshire Council said 6,138 tonnes of litter and fly tipped rubbish have been cleared from the streets, lanes and fields of the county in the previous 8 months. That’s around than 30kg (66lbs) a person every year.

For more information on community litter picks, see the Litter Action website run jointly by CPRE and CleanupUK (http://www.litteraction.org.uk/). For example, Church Stretton Pride of Place has collected 2,000 bags of litter in 7 years from the town centre (http://www.litteraction.org.uk/church-stretton-pride-of-place).