We need to crack down on litter louts

IT was pleasing to see that a major brewer has decided to stop using the plastic four-pack rings which keep the cans together, instead using a glue, to reduce the amount of plastic it uses, which is a little way to addressing the problem of the plastic and litter dropped on our streets and in our green spaces, most importantly our rivers and streams.

If any readers have been watching the TV recently, they would have observed vast amounts of plastic floating in our waters, so one has to ask are the micro-particles getting into our drinking water and ultimately in our bodies?

What makes the problem so easy to solve, comes in two parts, first, we ask manufacturers and producers to reduce their packaging .

Second, we have to get the “Nanny State” to re-educate those who are ignorant and stupid enough to irresponsibly drop or dump their litter.

It’s not rocket science and easier than learning the alphabet, to simply take your litter home or place it in a nearby bin.

As a keen walker and someone who is passionate about the countryside and woodlands, I’m dismayed that this simple action falls on ignorant and irresponsible ears.

Nearby beauty spots such as Gedling House Woods, Netherfield Lagoons and Colwick Country are all victims of this ignorant behaviour.

It amazes me that I can find coffee and fast-food cups and beakers miles away from any such outlets that serve these drinks.

Yet a simpler and cheaper way is to make a Thermos flask of your favourite drink in a container which is reusable and keeps the drink hot or cold according to your preference.

This is something I practise on every walk, so I have the benefit of drinking it at any stage of my walk, rather than at the beginning.

Another thing we need to do is to punish those who deem that the litter they have dropped will be picked up by someone else, as it’s costing the country over £1bn to keep our streets reasonably clean.

This money could be redirected to more worthwhile causes, such as the NHS or schools.

Tony Morris Manor Green Walk Carlton