Litter and Street Cleaning What is 'litter' and why is it a problem?
We all know what litter is, it's that little bit of rubbish, cigarette ends, crisp packets and drink containers, that are carelessly dropped on our streets.
It's a problem because
- It's illegal. It costs taxpayers' money to clean it up
- It's unsightly. Litter is a sign of a neglected neighbourhood and is associated with increased levels of crime and the fear of crime. Litter also discourages investment and new businesses from moving into the area
- It's unsafe. Litter attracts vermin such as rats, flies and other disease carrying pests. As well as being unhygienic, litter can be dangerous, and broken glass and other rubbish can cause injury.
Councils across England spend more than £340 million per year on street cleaning and litter picking. In 2004 to 2005, Southwark will spend around £6.5 million clearing our streets of litter and other rubbish. Despite a massive increase in street cleaning resources, last year we still received over 800 requests for street sweeping in Southwark. All of these requests were caused by people dropping their litter on the street.
What can we all do clean up our streets?
Don't drop it
The simple message is 'bin it'. There is no need to drop litter. If there isn't a litterbin near by, wait until you get to the nearest one or keep your rubbish until you get home. If you drop litter you could get fined. The law allows us to give on the spot fines of £50 to anyone we see dropping litter.
Report it
Don't put up with litter, report it! Click here to  request street sweeping online or call 020 7525 2000. Every street in Southwark is regularly swept.
If you would like to know when your street is going to be swept, please call us on 020 7525 2000 or email environment@southwark.gov.uk
 What are we doing about littering in Southwark?
Cleaning up
We now have 200 street cleaners on the streets and 420 cleaners working on housing estates. We've invested in new fly tip vehicles, street washing machines and even new brooms to make sure Southwark is looking clean and free of litter. Find out more about how we're keeping Southwark cleaner.
Prevention
There are now 3,000 litterbins in the borough. In the last year we've installed more than 1,000 extra litterbins on Southwark's streets to help people dispose of litter easily. Southwark's community councils used their local knowledge of problem areas to decide where 1000 of these bins should be placed.
We run educational schemes to raise awareness about enviro crimes and littering. Find out more about our educational and awareness raising campaigns.
Contact us
Southwark Cleaning Team
Tel: 020 7525 2000
environment@southwark.gov.uk
Environment and Leisure
Manor Place Depot
30-34 Penrose Street
London
SE17 3DW |