Bentley Bridge clean up
Released: 31 December 2007
Youngsters from St. Patrick’s School left their classroom to tackle litter during a major clean up operation at Bentley Bridge.
The Year Six pupils were joined by Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Pat Byrne, the council’s environmental information officers and Groundwork Black Country staff during two days of litter picking in the run up to Christmas.
‘The Big Bentley Bridge Clean-Up’ took place in response to an increasing number of complaints regarding litter around the Bentley Bridge site.
From October to the middle of December the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued for fast food litter at Bentley Bridge was approx 90.
The clean up campaign slogan was 'Stop Messing About. Bin your litter or face a £60 fine' - with the aim of educating people about the penalties for dropping litter.
Free promotional gifts of car air fresheners and ice scrapers with the clean up message on were handed out to visitors to Bentley Bridge during the event and council environmental information officers with staff from Groundwork Black Country were on site to talk to members of the public about the issue.
McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut on the Bentley Bridge site have all signed up to the ‘Food on the Go’ Voluntary Code of Practice. This is an ENCAM’s (formerly Keep Britain Tidy) run scheme which is completely voluntary and aimed at fast food businesses to reduce fast food litter including food and/or the packaging. It encourages businesses to take control of their litter and maintain their premises with regular litter picks, emptying bins etc.
McDonalds at Bentley Bridge provided free drinks for the children and were very supportive of the campaign.
British Waterways also carried out a ‘Clean Sweep’ of the Wyrley and Essington canal and surrounding towpath as part of the Clean Up events.
Issued by the press office
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