'Smart' bins set to tidy up high street (From Wimbledon Guardian)

'Smart' bins set to tidy up Morden streets

12:40pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

Unsightly gum, cigarette butts and litter have been targeted in a new scheme set to smarten up our streets.

Ten new bins, designed by  UK company Smartstreets, have been installed in Morden as part of a trial to reduce the amount of dropped litter. 

The bins are made from recycled aluminium and stainless steel and are designed to wrap around a lamp post.

The scheme will be tested during a four week trial when the council will measure the amount of litter disposed.

The council spends £3m on street cleaning every year and last year recorded a 20 per cent drop in gum litter across the borough.

Councillor Mark Betteridge, cabinet member for performance and implementation, said: "Our annual residents’ survey shows that almost 60 per cent of residents are satisfied with street cleaning in Merton - and that's higher than the rest of London.

"However, dropping litter continues to be an environmental concern, which is why we want to work harder at further reducing the amount of litter on our streets."

To comment on the trial email environmental.development@merton.gov.uk.

For more information visit merton.gov.uk/gumbins.