We’re Cleaning Up campaign underway in borough parks

People using the borough’s parks will be met with some new signage as part of the council’s We’re Cleaning Up campaign.

Targeted signage has been installed with the aim of encouraging those who attend parks to take responsibility for their own waste.

This year the Covid-19 pandemic has affected how everyone has lived their lives and socialised with social distancing, the easing of lockdown and our outdoor parks and spaces being used more for gatherings. This has resulted in an increase in visitor numbers and an increase in dumped rubbish. From the 15 June to 20 July the council collected 15.11 tonnes of litter from borough parks.

Chair of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Councillor David Harrison said:

“Since the easing of the lockdown we’ve seen visitor numbers to our parks soar, which is great on the one hand but has also resulted in some issues with littering.

“Even those with the best intentions are sometimes getting it wrong by placing waste next to bins that are at capacity. This is still littering. This kind of litter should be taken home.

“There has also been an increase in littering of nitrous canisters and an increase in rubbish around fishing lakes.

“The time spent by our teams cleaning up could be better spent improving the parks for all to enjoy.

“We’re lucky to have so many beautiful parks and open spaces but it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure they are kept tidy.”

Find out more at www.basildon.gov.uk/cleaning-up