“Don’t Be A Tosser” says Cramlington Town Council anti-litter campaign

Cramlington Town Council has launched a new campaign in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy aimed at those who chuck their rubbish out of car windows.

‘Don’t be a Tosser’ has been designed to send a hard-hitting message to drivers and their passengers that our roads are not one giant litter bin and that the owner of a vehicle be given a substantial fine if rubbish is seen being thrown out of a car window.

Legislation now allows allow local authorities to fine the registered keeper of a vehicle if litter is seen being thrown from the vehicle. This means they no longer have to prove who threw the rubbish.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “The mindless act of tossing plastic bottles and fast-food wrappers out of car windows is doing damage to our environment and our wildlife.

“We need to get the message out there that being a tosser is socially unacceptable and, regardless of who throws the rubbish, if it comes out of your vehicle you are responsible.”

And the town council is pleased to report that the campaign has already received a positive response.

Community and Youth manager Maggie Martin took the ‘Don’t Be A Tosser’  artwork to a selection of Cramlington organisations over the weekend and reported that the public fully endorsed the campaign as part of the strategy to keep Cramlington clean and green.

She said “I showed the campaign graphics to members of the public at the Community Allotment and Northumberlandia and I also met with members of the Red Squirrel Group. They all thoroughly approved.

Research by Keep Britain Tidy  shows that millions of small mammals – voles and shrews –are dying after being enticed into bottles and cans thrown on to grass verges.”

Cramlington Town Councillors Steve Garrett and Paul Ezhilchelvan organised a litter pick at Valley Park on Sunday and they too were full of enthusiasm for the campaign.

Steve said “Cramlington has so many wonderful green spaces and littering spoils it for everyone.”

Paul added “I know we have great community spirit across the whole town and I hope residents will back our campaign.”

Cramlington Town Council funds two enforcement officers.

If you have enquiries about the campaign please contact admin@cramlingtontowncouncil.gov.uk