Merton Council has completed the roll out of its special gum and cigarette butt bins on railings and lampposts across the borough.

Councillor Judy Saunders with one of the gum and butt bins outside Colliers Wood Station.

The council has installed nearly 200 of the special bins in its effort to encourage people to drop their gum and cigarette litter in the bins rather than on the street.So far, the council has seen an improvement in the areas where the bins have been installed. The council’s Clean Team check the bins daily and empty them as required.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking Councillor Judy Saunders said: “People littering on our streets are anti-social and spoil the environment for the vast majority of people who respect Merton and who want to keep it a clean and tidy place in which to live and work. Every year we spend over £5million keeping our streets clear of litter, fly tips, graffiti and other environmental crime.  It’s great to see that people are now using these bins, and, along with education and tougher enforcement, we will drive down littering further so we can all enjoy a clean Merton.”

Merton’s anti-litter code: merton.gov.uk/anti-littercode   

Residents can now report littering and fly tips to the council using the free smartphone app Love Clean Streets.

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