Litter is a blight on many of our communities. People are
rightly disgusted when they see discarded litter and rubbish strewn across our
streets.
Litter levels have remained largely static over the last
12 years, with councils spending hundreds of millions of pounds of our money
fighting a losing battle.
England has a litter problem when compared to most of
Europe, North America and Japan. While Government and industry must play their
part, it is individuals who litter and fly-tip their unwanted goods, and it is
their behaviour which needs to change.
The all-party Communities and Local Government Committee,
which I chair, has just published its report following our inquiry into
litter and fly-tipping in England.
We found that tax-payers - us - pay an annual bill of as
much as £850 million in clean-up costs.
Chewing gum and cigarettes were found to be the most
littered items, while fast-food litter increased by 20% in the last year. We
were clear that change is needed and that individuals, Government, and tobacco,
chewing gum, and fast food industries must now act to tackle the nation’s
litter problem.
Litter louts need to be hit harder in the pocket, with
fines increased.
The tobacco industry should provide free at the point of
sale, portable ashtrays for the disposal of cigarette-related litter. All
public buildings should fit ashtrays in areas where staff congregate to smoke.
Fast-food litter is increasing and dropped over a wide
area. The government should introduce an obligation requiring all shops,
restaurants and retail food outlets to keep the perimeters of their premises
free from litter.
Chewing gum and the resultant staining are a difficult
and costly to remove. We think the chewing-gum industry has one last chance to
reduce chewing gum litter by making a greater contribution to the cost of
clearing gum and staining.
There should be Fixed Penalty Notices for fly-tipping for
household items and there should be an industry requirement to take away
unwanted household appliances and furniture when replacements are delivered.
Councils can play their part by leading litter campaigns,
clean-up days and by investing in smart bins.
