Litter
We take great care and pride in the appearance of Cramlington and we know you do too – cleanliness of the town impacts on the quality of life of all residents. By working together we can ensure that our town continues to be a great place to be and one of the best ways to do this is through organised community litter picks.
Listed below are the ways we can help you organise a litter pick in your own area. If you are organising a litter pick tell us about it and we will promote it via our website and social media. To do this email jane@cramlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk
If the information you need is not listed below please ring our office on 01670 707831
Litter
1. Choose an area you want to clean up. If it’s public land maintained by Northumberland County Council, telephone 0345 6006400 and let us know the area you intend to litter pick. If it’s privately owned land, get permission from the landowner(s).
2. Decide when you want to do it.
3. Tell your friends, family and neighbours you need their help.
4. Northumberland County Council will provide litter pick packs for up to 20 people. These include:
• litter pickers
• rubbish sacks
5. Contact Northumberland County Council. Call 0345 600 6400 to: arrange a collection point to have the collected rubbish taken away get advice on storing the rubbish safely until it can be collected
(if necessary) obtain facilities to recycle items you collect on your litter pick, such as
• plastic bottles
• drink cans
• high-visibility waistcoats
• gloves
6. Complete a risk assessment. This simple procedure ensures you have considered any safety issues and taken necessary precautions to try and prevent them.
7. Prepare yourself and your helpers for the day:
Decide where you will meet and at what time.
Think about how to split the group up to cover the area.
Decide how long you will litter pick and when you will take breaks.
Think about refreshments and what toilet facilities are available.
Think about first aid, safety and hygiene. Is there a first aider in the group? Do you have a supply of antibacterial wipes or hand gel? Take some plasters and antiseptic for any cuts or grazes.
8. Go through an activity planning checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
1. Brief the group on:
• health and safety. Check everyone has read the safety checklist, knows how to
• use the equipment and what to avoid.
• meeting points, break and finish times
• where to place the collected rubbish
• who the first aider is and/or what to do if an injury occurs
2. Check everyone is wearing or has appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and terrain.
3. Ensure there is sufficient supervision for young/vulnerable volunteers.
4. Ask the group to be considerate to wildlife and people using the area.
5. Exchange mobile phone numbers to ensure good communication links between the group.
• Use gloves and avoid direct contact with litter at all times.
• Use a litter picking tool where possible for any glass and metal items.
• Any needles or sharp objects should be dealt with by a fully trained member of the Councils neighbourhood environmental action team. Do not pick up any suspect items, particularly those listed as hazards. Note their location and report them to the council immediately following the litter pick.
• Clean hands thoroughly before eating food or drinking.
• Rubbish should not be compressed using hands or feet, as this can accidentally puncture the skin.
• Avoid contact with the body when carrying plastic bin bags.
• Ensure any cuts or abrasions are clean and covered with a waterproof plaster.
Wear stout shoes and waterproof clothing.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects or sacks alone – ask for assistance if required.
• Be aware of your environment and do not put yourself at risk while picking litter.
Click here to view more information on the health and safety instructions for community litter picks
Check Northumberland County Council has collected the rubbish as scheduled. If it has not been picked up, please contact us again.
Please don’t drop litter. Use a litter bin or, if there isn’t one handy, take your litter home and put it in your waste bin if you can’t recycle it. To request a new bin or report an issue click here
Thoughtless drivers and their passengers tossing litter from cars are costing the taxpayer millions each year in clean-up costs.
Throwing litter from moving vehicles is dangerous for other drivers and creates a mess and a hazard on our roadside verges. Vehicle litter – to request removal click here
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It can cause a range of problems for people, animals and the environment. Report an issue click here
Leaf litter – there are a number of areas in Northumberland affected by heavy leaf fall in the autumn.These areas receive extra attention to ensure they are regularly swept of leaves, avoiding slippery and dangerous surfaces for pedestrians.A list of the roads and public areas identified as a ‘leaf hotspot’ is kept in each depot and the areas receive extra attention throughout the autumn months. Request leaf removal click here
Abandoned trolleys – click here to report an issue
Fixed penalties – Councils appoint officers to issue fixed penalty notices to people dropping litter. An offender has 14 days to pay the fixed penalty of £80 or £65 if paid within 7 days. Failure to pay the fine will result in the case being taken to court and a potentially a maximum fine of £2,500.
Click here to view the environmental enforcement fixed penalty notice
