Oxford City Council, in partnership with ODS, is launching a city-wide summer anti-littering campaign aimed at reducing litter in city streets and parks.
The initiative will target key hotspots, including Cornmarket and the surrounding streets, as well as cherished green spaces like Port Meadow.
With the summer months typically seeing a rise in litter, now is the perfect time to raise awareness about the impact of carelessly discarded rubbish. Littering not only mars the beauty of our public spaces but also poses serious environmental and health hazards.
To combat this issue, the Council’s Community Response Team will be out and about in the city centre. They have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to anyone who drops litter.
Littering is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 meaning that FPNs can be issued to anyone witnessed littering, including:
- throwing away food wrappers or uneaten food
- dropping chewing gum
- discarding cigarette butts
FPNs are currently set at £150, reduced to £75 if paid within 10 days.
As well as conducting the litter campaign the Council and ODS will continue to work with partners OxClean and the Jericho Community Hub throughout the year by supplying litter pickers and bags as well as the waste collection from group litter picks.
Comment
“Litter is unsightly, blights our public spaces, and can take years to degrade. It harms wildlife and can attract vermin such as rats. It is disappointing that some people show such little regard for the environment and their local community that they drop litter wherever they like.
“We’re committed to tackling this issue. By reducing litter in Oxford the city and the parks can remain a pleasant and welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Cllr Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies
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