What are we, as a nation, going to do about the growing problem of litter and dumping? As council services are cut and the charge for disposal of rubbish increases how are we going to prevent our open spaces degenerating into rubbish dumps?
So many people complain about the council not clearing up the streets and alleyways that it may have been better if the council had never cleared it up in the first place because it has made us lazy. We expect someone else to do the dirty work.
It is reasonable to say that we should not have to clear up after others - so therefore we need to work harder at stopping dumping in the first place. Campaigning for less packaging, more biodegradable material and recycling of glass bottle would help. The glass problem has got worse since the supermarkets started selling alcohol and refused to operate the deposit system that off-licences had run for years. But they do on the continent. A litter fine can be levied, but by whom? The council do try to track people down but the bags of used nappies we picked up today had no address.
In Singapore there is a £1,000 fine for littering. That would be worth collecting. It is up to us to lobby for action to prevent our open spaces becoming a health hazard. It is also up to us to get out there and pick it up. Many people do, but we need more.
Wincobank Wombles will be out on Wincobank Hill every second Saturday in the month this year, tidying up, cutting back the new growth on the hill fort and having a laugh with friends. Bring the family and come and help. 10 am - 12.30pm . Meet at Upper Wincobank Chapel.
