Council chiefs target tossers in district litter campaign - The Stratford Observer

Council chiefs target tossers in district litter campaign

Stratford Editorial 22nd Jul, 2020   0

‘DON’T be a tosser is the direct message to district litterbugs.

Stratford District Council has launched a new poster campaign in response to a sharp increase in littering during lockdown.

‘Don’t be a tosser’ posters, questioning why people are dumping their rubbish are being put up at public open spaces including, the Recreation Ground, Bancroft Gardens, Fisherman’s car park, Cottage Lane, Shottery Field, Orrian Close and in shops, encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.

The aim of the campaign is to remind people that they need to clean up after themselves and bin their litter or take it home.




This is even more important during the current pandemic in helping to reduce the spread of the disease. The strapline is not intended to cause offence, but is hard-hitting to tackle the issue and draw attention.

District operations spokesman Coun Ian Shenton said: “Since lockdown restrictions have eased, there has been an unwelcome rise in litter. Our contractors are continuing to work hard to keep the areas clear of litter, but the increased levels have been very significant. Littering is illegal, anti-social, has a negative impact on our environment, is harmful for our wildlife and costs thousands of pounds each year to clear.


“We need to get the message out there that being a ‘tosser’ is socially unacceptable. People should take responsibility for their own litter and not expect others to clean up their mess.”

The anti-littering campaign by the council, together with Warwickshire Waste Partnership, comes after more people have been outside since the easing of lockdown and has been inspired by successful campaigns by Keep Britain Tidy and in New Zealand.

The most common items left by people in parks and public spaces include picnic debris, gas canisters, balloons, glass, disposable barbecues, cans, plastic bottles and bags of dog mess.

Rugby Borough Council recently highlighted the scale of the problem, by dumping around a tonne of rubbish, which had been collected in just two hours, in a town park.

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