Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TOP FIRMS RUBBISH AT TACKLING LITTER SHAME
7 producers responsible for half of NI mess
JUST seven producers are responsible for manufacturing over half of all branded litter dumped by the public on Northern Ireland streets and in public bins.
Charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, which examined a total 10,626 pieces of waste from January 21 and March 4, 2019, says change is required to tackle the problem which is costing taxpayers well over £20 million a year.
Its Litter Composition Producers Report 2019-2020 report names the top 25 producers responsible for making 77% of NI’S branded litter. Of these, the top seven producers are responsible for
manufacturing 52% of all litter. Firms listed in the top 25 are primarily food and beverage producers, including producers of fast foods, alcoholic beverages, confectionery and snacks.
Topping the list are drinks makers
Coca-cola, followed by Boost Drink and Lucozade Ribena Suntory. The report also estimates there are 1.3 million items of litter on our streets at any one time. It is the most comprehensive and detailed report for NI to date. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful chief Dr Ian Humphreys said: “Our intention is to start a productive dialogue with producers to find a workable solution.” The report stresses that tobacco companies’ produce is prominent, with cigarette butts accounting for 37% of all litter.
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots, before his departure from Stormont , said: “I am committed to tackling litter.”
25
The number of producers named, with fast food and beverage firms prominent