Council reveals ‘bold’ bid for a ‘litter-free’ future

CLEANING up litter and fly-tipping costs Wigan taxpayers up to £4m a year - but there are ‘bold ambitions’ to make the borough ‘litter-free’ in the next decade.

The millions spent clearing streets, parks and green open spaces includes £800,000 on fly-tipping alone.

A litter strategy being developed by Wigan council will include greater enforcement, reduced collection costs and more litter awareness campaigns.

Residents will also be challenged to change their behaviour and become ‘responsible citizens’, with the council hoping to prevent littering instead of cleaning up afterwards.

Litter was one of the most common issues raised during the council’s Big Listening Project, which canvassed more than 60,000 residents across the borough.

Coun Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment, said: “Every pound of taxpayers’ money spent clearing up after people who drop rubbish on our streets or green spaces is a pound that could have been invested in our schools, enhancing our open spaces or caring for people in need.

“We want to change the culture towards litter. Too often we have to be reactive when it comes to waste removal. This strategy aims to change this and focus more on preventative action to help reduce litter and fly-tipping happening in the future.”

The proposed strategy will ‘not shy away from being hard-hitting’ while having an ‘element of fun and humour’, according to a report to cabinet members.

Community groups and representatives including councillors, children and young people will also be asked to help out.

Senior councillors will be asked to approve plans to spend £50,000 on commissioning Manchester-based marketing company Creative Concern to support the strategy’s development.

The report says: “We have set out a bold ambition to be litter free by 2030 and the proposed strategy will support us to deliver our ambitions.

“If it is high quality and successful, which we are aiming for, the financial benefits will far outweigh the costs.”

Work on the strategy, and the appointment of Creative Concern, is expected to be signed off by cabinet members on September 26.