STREET SCENE
July 2015 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 13
LAWR July Half Page 2015 - PBUV
05 June 2015 16:26:08
(£1bn), mental health (£526m), crime
(£348m) and vermin (£10m). Much
higher are the external costs, including
local disamenity (£702m - £7.6bn) and
beach litter disamenity (£521 - £1.1bn).
Chris Sherrington, principal con-
sultant at Eunomia and one of the
researchers on the studies, explained in
a blog post last year the importance of
highlighting these hidden costs. "One
immediate and important effect of
this research has been to raise aware-
ness among stakeholders that they
are, indeed, stakeholders. For example,
since the publication of the report, NHS
Scotland has shown great interest in
the mental health effects of litter and is
considering how best to engage in the
debate. This is an encouraging trend,
and if replicated with other stakeholders
should facilitate further uncovering of
evidence," he explained.
Of course, one of the key stakeholder
groups is the public. Much of the
focus has been on understanding what
motivates people to litter and how they
react to it. There are myriad surveys
Hubbub says it wants to approach environmental issues in a new way. The charity,
formed last year, has just launched its 'NeatStreets' campaign with Westminster
City Council. Having searched the world for innovative campaigns, it's focusing
on encouragement rather than punishment to tackle litter in Villiers Street, central
London. The street has the second biggest footfall in the capital and is cleaned
eight times a day. Known as a "dirty rat-run", Hubbub is working with council
to restore some pride to the locality. There is a street gallery of posters with
photographs of local people holding a 'My street is your street' card, as well as
an 'interactive' bin and a 'peppermint pointillist' where passer-by can stick their
chewing gum.
A neat idea to encourage cleaner streets
