Residents urged to ‘❤️ your area’ to help cut down on litter
‘❤️ your area – bin your litter, don’t drop it’ – is the clear message for residents in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse this summer.
South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils have launched a campaign aimed at tackling the issue of litter in parks and streets, especially during the summer when more people have food and drink outside in public areas.
The councils are installing banners on the same theme in key public areas in Abingdon, Botley, Didcot, Faringdon, Henley, Thame, Wallingford and Wantage.
The councils will be giving posters to takeaways to display in windows, signage will be placed around public events and posters will made available for all parishes to go on public noticeboards.
New signage will also encourage people not to drop cigarette butts and to report overflowing bins, rather than adding to the problem.
The campaign will support the work of the councils’ Environmental Services teams who work to reduce litter through education and enforcement.
Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, Cabinet Member for Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Litter can really spoil our public areas and make them look unwelcoming, but we know that when people take pride in their town or village they are less likely to drop litter, and places which are clean and tidy benefit the wellbeing in the local community. Our campaign aims to encourage that feeling of caring for the area where you live.”
Cllr Mark Coleman, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Over the summer months in particular there’s often a noticeable increase in empty food and drink containers being left behind in public areas. It’s very anti-social and can be dangerous for animals and young children. So, we are simply asking people to respect others, ‘❤️ your area’ and don’t leave any litter behind.”
Notes to editors
The fixed penalty notice for dropping litter is £80. If the case goes to a court the fine rises to a maximum of £2,500 plus legal costs.
