Litter is a scourge on the countryside and we must work together to tackle this blight

Today (10 April 2017) the Government has launched their 'Anti-Littering Strategy' which aims to reduce the £800m burden to the taxpayer of clean-up costs.

The Countryside Alliance has always believed that if you want to reduce littering and fly-tipping then you must make it easier and cheaper for people to dispose of their waste legally. This is why we are welcoming the proposals to stop councils from charging householders for disposal of DIY household waste at tips and ensuring there is a better distribution of public litter bins, making it easier for people to discard rubbish.

For this anti-littering strategy to be truly effective then local authorities, the police, businesses and the public must all play their part in reducing this unsightly problem. There needs to be a strong message sent out to all those that litter, that it is unacceptable and will hit you in the pocket.

The proposals contained in the Strategy also include fining litter louts with £150 fines and penalty notices to vehicle owners when it can be proved litter was thrown from their car.

Countryside Alliance's Head of Policy, Sarah Lee, said "For far too long the blight of litter and fly-tipping has been scarring our countryside, harming our wildlife and costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds. It is time it stopped. These tough new measures will go some way to tackling this problem however more needs to done to incentivise people to dispose of their rubbish appropriately. From cash incentives to return bottles/cans to designing our public spaces so people find it easier to dispose of their waste. We must all work together to tackle this anti-social behaviour.

Notes to editors

Further new measures drawn up by environment, transport and communities departments include:

Issuing new guidance for councils to be able to update the nation's 'binfrastructure' through creative new designs and better distribution of public litter bins, making it easier for people to discard rubbish.

Stopping councils from charging householders for disposal of DIY household waste at civic amenity sites (rubbish dumps) – legally, household waste is supposed to be free to dispose of at such sites.

Recommending that offenders on community sentences, including people caught fly-tipping, help councils clear up litter and fly-tipped waste.

Working with Highways England to target the 25 worst litter hotspots across our road network to deliver long-lasting improvements to cleanliness.

Creating a 'green generation' by educating children to lead the fight against litter through an increased number of Eco-Schools and boosting participation in national clean-up days.

Creating a new expert group to look at further ways of cutting the worst kinds of litter, including plastic bottles and drinks containers, cigarette ends and fast food packaging.