An anti-litter activist is calling for a 'don't be a tosser' campaign to combat Merton's rubbish problem after 85 bags of litter were collected by volunteers on the borough's streets over the weekend.

A group of volunteers including Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond collected 60 bags of rubbish during a litter-pick in south Wimbledon on Saturday.

On the other side of the borough, 25 black bags of rubbish were collected by volunteers during a three hour litter pick on Mitcham Common.

The events were supported by Merton Council and coincided with Keep Britain Tidy's national spring clean day, which saw hundreds of community groups around the country clean up streets and green spaces.

Anti-litter activist Dan Goode, of Morden, filled a black bag with litter strewn across Morden Road on Saturday - just one week after a group of councillors and volunteers spent two hours cleaning up the same road.

Now he says the only way to solve the problem is to have a joined-up litter campaign and get Merton Council to address the behaviour problem of residents who litter.

Mr Goode, who founded litter campaign group Merton Matters last year because he was so fed up with the state of the borough's streets, posted a video on Twitter over the weekend showing his frustration.

 

Wimbledon Times:

Rubbish busters: Volunteers collect 60 bags of rubbish during a south Wimbledon litter-pick

He said: "Littering has become part of the culture in Merton and England generally.

"A councillor said to me that the council themselves don't drop litter. This is not an answer. The council's obliged to keep the streets clean.

"But the council is unwilling to properly deal with this and Merton is filthy. We need a 'don't be a tosser' campaign in Merton."

Earlier this month, the council launched the Love Your Street campaign which aims to stop people dropping litter by encouraging them to sign an anti-litter pledge or organise a clean-up in their area.

Councillor Judy Saunders, cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking, said: "Merton is a great place to live but a small minority of people continue to litter our streets.

"We know that many residents work hard to keep their neighbourhood clean and the Love Your Street campaign is about recognising that commitment, taking a stand against litter and showing pride in our local area."

She added: "Our clean teams are out around the clock clearing up litter and fly-tips and we want to work with residents, businesses and schools to show that we will not accept littering in Merton."

To find out about the next clean up in your area, visit the council's website.

How can we stop people littering in Merton?

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