Fast food restaurants targeted in litter blitz

TEN people have been fined in a litter blitz targeting fast food restaurants across Carmarthenshire.

Council environmental enforcement officers have targeted fast food litter hotspots at Parc Trostre in Llanelli, Parc Pensarn in Carmarthen and Cross Hands Business Park during the month of September.

Figures show that fast food litter such as chip wrappers, crisp packets, drinks cartons and half eaten food can be found on 20% of county streets.

The council is encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish more responsibly and is working with McDonald’s and KFC to raise awareness of the problem.

In total, 10 people were issued with fixed penalty notices for £75 during the month. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and even bigger fine of up to £2,500.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “The message is clear – use the bins provided or take your rubbish home with you to dispose of. If you don’t, then you could get fined.

“The council receives a number of complaints about fast food litter right across the county; people take it in their cars and then throw it out the window. The restaurants aren’t to blame; they provide bins and the staff regularly carry out litter-picks. It is the customers who are to blame.

“Hopefully these fines will get the message across that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone caught dropping litter will be fined. Our officers carry out patrols seven days a week; and we also act on information from the public, so you never know who is watching you.”

On average 40 tonnes of litter is removed every week in Carmarthenshire and it costs the council over £2.2 million per year.

Cllr Jones said: “We all have a responsibility to look after the environment in which we live and dispose of our rubbish carefully. The council is determined to create a cleaner, greener and safer Carmarthenshire for both residents and visitors.”