Merton says “Any bin will do”

· by · in Clean streets, Environment, Environment and Regeneration, Parks and green spaces. ·

Merton Council is continuing to crack down on dog waste and litter as it launches its ‘Any bin will do’ campaign this week.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis with Merton resident and dog walker Tanya Buller

Now dog walkers can bag and drop their dog’s poo into any litter bin in the borough reducing the need to hunt round for a dog waste bin. From Sunday 23 August, Merton is also stepping up its enforcement activity as officers patrol parks and open spaces as well as town centres, issuing on the spot £80 fines to people caught dropping litter or not picking up after their dog.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness Councillor Judy Saunders said: “The majority of our residents look after where they live. The success of our Love Your Street campaign is testament to that. Sadly though there are still people who think it’s acceptable to drop litter and not pick up after their dog.

“Since April our enforcement officers have issued over 2000 fixed penalty notices to people caught littering in our town centres. We’re now stepping up our campaign by expanding the patrol to litter and dog fouling hotspots in our parks and open spaces.

“We want everyone to enjoy Merton parks and by saying ‘any bin will do’ we’re making it even easier for dog walkers, so there really are no excuses not to pick up after your dog.”

Merton resident and dog walker, Tanya Buller fully supports the move. She said: “I tend to plan my walk around where the dog waste bins are. Being able to use any litter bin will make a big difference to me and encourage people to pick up after their dog.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

  • A fixed penalty notice for littering or dog fouling is a £80 on the spot fine
  • Dog waste can be disposed in any litter bin in the borough, excluding recycling bins which are for recyclable materials
  • Since the end of April, Merton Council has issued over 2,000 fixed penalty notices to people littering in Merton.
  • The council takes a zero tolerance approach to people dropping litter in the borough. It has published an anti-litter code, installed special gum and cigarette butt bins, high tech smart bins in parks and is working with Love Clean Streets to encourage residents to report litter and fly-tipping through the free Love Clean Streets smartphone app.