Millions spent on cleaning to combat litter and fly tipping

COUNCILS in Leicestershire are having to pay millions of pounds a year in street cleaning to combat litter and fly tipping.

Government figures have revealed that local authorities across the area spent a combined total of £8.0 million on street cleaning in 2019/20.

That’s much less than they spent on bin collections, with councils in Leicestershire spending £19.7 million on waste collection last year.

Charnwood Borough Council spent £1,068,000 on street cleaning in 2019/20 - and £2,227,000 on waste collections. The cost of street cleaning was £5.75 per head, the lowest in the county.

In North West Leicestershire, £784,000 was spent on street cleaning, a cost of £7.57 per head and a total of £3,449,000 was spent on waste collections.

While it has always been a major issue, litter has become a particular problem during the coronavirus pandemic, with littered beaches, overflowing bins, and parks left strewn with bottles and wrappers.

A recent survey from InYourArea found that most people say litter is a big problem where they live (85%), and that it has got worse since lockdown began to ease (64%).

To help tackle the problem, we’ve joined forces with Clean Up Britain to say enough is enough with our Don’t Trash Our Future campaign.

Councils can currently hand out fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering - a type of fine - of up to £150. Sign our petition calling for the maximum FPN for dropping litter in the UK to be raised to £1,000 at • inyourarea. co.uk/DTOF