Litter

Litter can be described as "rubbish in the wrong place”. 87 per cent of all litter is caused by pedestrians and drivers who drop, throw, deposit or leave rubbish that defaces the environment.

Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter, found at 77 per cent of all locations, followed by confectionery at 53 per cent and drinks-related litter at 31 per cent. Such litter can last indefinitely. Certain plastics will last for 1,000 years, aluminium cans and nappies for 100 years and plastic bags and wrapping for up to 20 years. Even fruit peelings and apple cores can remain for two years.

Medway Council picks up and disposes of over 5,000 tonnes of litter each year from its streets. Fly tipping accounts for a similar tonnage. On one community clear-up, over 30 tonnes of rubbish was collected.

In Medway, each household disposes of over one tonne of rubbish and recyclables, collected via the weekly refuse collections, fortnightly recycling service and the household waste centres each year.

Clearly, there is a need to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities and the effect that thoughtlessly dropping or throwing away litter and rubbish has on the environment. It is illegal and fines can be imposed, including fixed penalties. Jail terms of up to five years can be imposed for fly-tipping hazardous waste such as asbestos.

The council’s Banish Rubbish campaign is aimed at residents and businesses to encourage them to be more responsible in the way they deal with their waste and litter.

There are about 2,200 litter and dog bins that are strategically placed throughout Medway. Alternatively, litter can be taken home and put with the weekly rubbish collection. Rubbish should be put out before 7am on the day of collection, not days in advance, to prevent the rubbish being scavenged by animals and ending up back on the streets. Excess waste can be taken to one of the three household waste and recycling centres.

Recyclable materials are collected at these centres and the local recycling points. There is also a fortnightly kerbside collection service.

Businesses have a clear duty of care to ensure their waste is stored properly, is collected by a licensed carrier of waste and disposed of at licensed sites. The charges for this have to borne by the business.

If you are aware of an area that has been littered, please inform the council at the address below or by completing this online form.

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