Environmental poverty

[Tinkerbell]

Having travelled south on one or two motorways and the A38 last weekend I am wondering just when the rot set in in Britain regarding the tolerance of littered highways and residential roads.

Although levels of rubbish was intermittent, with some authorities obviously trying to get to grips with the situation, our major roads have large amounts of very unattractive refuse laying on verges and hanging from trees and bushes in many areas. I thought this was bad enough, but was horrified to see the extent of rubbish laying in gardens and streets in what appeared to be largely local authority estate roads and adjoining land when we reached our destination. Although some folk see no harm in dropping crisp packets, plastic bags etc. anywhere, I cannot believe that all of the residents were responsible for such quantities of litter in their residential vicinity. (Indeed some gardens were virtually litter free). Even a local beck, was absolutely thick with a huge variety of mess, with untold consequences for wildlife.

What I fail to understand is how councils allow the situation to perpetuate. We hardly ever see a street cleaner any more, and when we do it tends to be in the more prominent commercial areas of a town. In years past, even if folk dropped litter it was cleared up regularly by the council regardless of the address.

We eventually abandoned the walk we were taking finding the surroundings too depressing to continue. What must it be like to live amongst such a magnitude of debris and how do you remain cheerful when you step out of your front door to be greeted by such a sight? Environmental poverty no doubt has an effect on our wellbeing too, just as financial and dietary poverty do.

Tinkerbell

[Ukwildlifeo]

My gf inspects the roads and the verdges to check there not about to fall off hillsides etc (lol) and shes told me some of the stuff they find. SHes see loads of cds, fag ends and foos wrappers as people just throw them out as the drive along. She even found a dead fox in a bin liner!

[Mr Mag00]

i dont remember seeing it like this on the continent! we have very little self respect in this country and a low feeling of worth as a nation, well that how i see it!

[stripee]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

Having travelled south on one or two motorways and the A38 last weekend I am wondering just when the rot set in in Britain regarding the tolerance of littered highways and residential roads.

Although levels of rubbish was intermittent, with some authorities obviously trying to get to grips with the situation, our major roads have large amounts of very unattractive refuse laying on verges and hanging from trees and bushes in many areas. I thought this was bad enough, but was horrified to see the extent of rubbish laying in gardens and streets in what appeared to be largely local authority estate roads and adjoining land when we reached our destination. Although some folk see no harm in dropping crisp packets, plastic bags etc. anywhere, I cannot believe that all of the residents were responsible for such quantities of litter in their residential vicinity. (Indeed some gardens were virtually litter free). Even a local beck, was absolutely thick with a huge variety of mess, with untold consequences for wildlife.

What I fail to understand is how councils allow the situation to perpetuate. We hardly ever see a street cleaner any more, and when we do it tends to be in the more prominent commercial areas of a town. In years past, even if folk dropped litter it was cleared up regularly by the council regardless of the address.

We eventually abandoned the walk we were taking finding the surroundings too depressing to continue. What must it be like to live amongst such a magnitude of debris and how do you remain cheerful when you step out of your front door to be greeted by such a sight? Environmental poverty no doubt has an effect on our wellbeing too, just as financial and dietary poverty do.

Tinkerbell

I have noticed a big increase in the last few months in rubbish on road side verges on small country roads. One road I use is very quiet and yet is getting more and more stuff on it. I have seen van men eating their lunch in their vans, presumably take aways of some kind and then I suppose they chuck the rubbish out of the window. Also kids on the way back from school. It is definitely getting worse and worse. I wonder why cars and vans can't have a rubbish bin inside them, it's always difficult to know where to put it, and often it ends up on the floor. Also round here there is alot of plastic sacks etc from farms. Perhaps takeaways and snacks should have less packaging or be taxed for the environmental damage they cause.

[tufftie]

It has an effect on our well being because it's depressing to see - not only for aesthetic reasons but because we're aware of the harm litter causes wildlife and the environment. It's a couldn't care less attitude that shows total lack of respect for anything. While obviously the councils should be clearing it up - to a certain extent it's about re-educating people so that they learn to have more respect for the environment and stop littering.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by tufftie

While obviously the councils should be clearing it up - to a certain extent it's about re-educating people so that they learn to have more respect for the environment and stop littering.

Spot on, Tuftie! Councils doing more means higher council tax bills - for everyone, not just the litter louts and fly-tippers. And while I would be prepared to pay more for a cleaner environment there is something very unpalatable about spending my money to clean up other people's mess. Education is the long-term solution and, in the meantime, rigorous enforcement of the law and serious punishment of offenders. If chucking the burger box out of the window was likely to result in 50 hours community service cleaning up verges maybe they'd think twice.

Unfortunately littering is seen by many people, including police, magistrates and even the media, as a "trivial" offence. Until that changes nothing will improve.

Dave P.

[ron1863]

There is nothing worse than seeing poly bag trees, and the worse point is that they are not all wind blown, loads are hung from trees with dog excrement inside by so called animal lovers.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Mr Mag00

i dont remember seeing it like this on the continent! we have very little self respect in this country and a low feeling of worth as a nation, well that how i see it!

You should visit Romania/hungary. I saw plenty of 'beauty spots' and river full of rubbish..

[Wild-Woman]

Nothing is more infuriating than seeing a car, lorry, truck, coach, whatever, window being wound down and sweet wrappers, burger boxes, drink containers being ejected out by the driver or one of the vehicle's occupants. It's just about as scummy as a person can get.
They're never caught and if they are, the penalties are pityful.

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Another problem that happens where I live is that the council insist that the rubbish and recycling bins and boxes are put out before 6am. Obviously many people put them out the evening before, regardless of the weather conditions. The recycling boxes we have, have a very loose fitting lid, in fact someone sneezing is quite likely to blow the lid off every box in a half mile radius. So you can imagine that with winds we had last week our neighbourhood was covered with litter, and in many places still is. Education is one answer but frankly if people don't have the common sense in the first place what’s the point. Harsh penalties are all very well, but if the councils haven't got the money to spend on street cleaners they certainly haven't got the spare cash to spend on Bobbies.
It isn't the right answer but it's down to us, the people that do care, to start picking litter up and educating others, and contacting the council where rubbish is building up and fly tipping has occurred.

BWD