Portsmouth residents urged 'don't be a din - put it in the bin' as shocking figures show littering more than doubled this May

Shocking new figures have shown almost five tonnes of litter was picked up from the ground in Portsmouth's parks and open spaces in May 2020, up from 2.2 tonnes in May 2019.

And the amount collected from bins in parks and other open spaces also rose significantly in that time - from 11 tonnes to 24.8.

Now the city council is hoping to tackle the problem for good with the launch of a new News-backed campaign which will see the Portsmouth specific phrase 'don't be a din - put it in the bin' emblazoned on bins and posters across the city.

Councillor Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: 'We are desperate for people not to leave rubbish lying around and recycle it at home if possible, and if not there are plenty of bins around.

'As a city we have pulled together really well and made a big effort to deal with the pandemic, but people have been rightly concerned about these large gatherings.'

The council spends around £160,000 on clearing rubbish from public spaces every year.

Cllr Pitt added: 'All of that litter costs time and money to collect. It also takes away pleasure and enjoyment for people and it's damaging the city's reputation.

'When I was growing up if you did something stupid people would tell you not to be a din. So we want people to be really proactive and if they see someone littering shout: "don't be a din, put it in the bin."

'We are asking people to love Portsmouth and not disrespect the place they love.'

It comes as recent hot weather, coupled with the easing of lockdown led to a surge of litter being left on Southsea Common and other outdoor spaces.

SEE ALSO: Southsea Common clean-up takes place after weekend visitors leave rubbish behind

Hazel Moynan, a member of the council's parks and open spaces team, was involved in recent clean up operations. She said: 'Last week was horrible. The amount of litter left behind could make you cry.

'On the Common it took 10 of us around four or five hours in the morning to clean it up because there was so much of it and it was so scattered. There were so many (NOS) canisters, bits of broken glass, bottles of spirits and disposable barbecues.

'We also found brand new barbecue equipment just left behind.

'People lug their bottles of alcohol down to the seafront but then don't bother to carry them back with them when they leave. Ideally we'd say take it home with you, or if not use the bins.

'All this cleaning up takes time away from our other jobs.'

At the end of May 40 new bins were installed on the promenade and 20 on the Common. And it is planned recycling bins will also be introduced in the city's open spaces in the future.

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