Hull in print : Feature

Did you know that a single cigarette butt takes more than 12 years to decompose?
Within an hour, toxic chemicals leaking from it can contaminate up to nine litres of water.
What's more, birds and fish can suffer harm after eating cigarette butts, which make up 10 per cent of the litter cleared from Hull streets.
"Litter, including cigarette-related litter, continues to be a key concern that people tell us about," says Cllr Kalvin Neal, portfolio holder for quality of life.
"Hull's residents, businesses, visitors and investors deserve a clean and safe city and we will continue with our message that environmental crime, no matter how small, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

Tough action

Every year hundreds of people in Hull are fined for environmental crimes, including dropping litter, fly posting, abandoning vehicles and not cleaning up dog mess.
Some of the fines run into hundreds of pounds. There can also be substantial court costs.
"Environmental crime ruins open land and public spaces and attracts antisocial behaviour," says Mark Cornall, manager of Hull City Council's Environmental Crime Unit.
"It's also expensive to clean up, and uses money that could otherwise be spent on providing other services."

Thanks... you've 'bin' great

The good news is that Hull is becoming cleaner.
The number of abandoned vehicles has fallen by more than 41 per cent in the last four years, while fly tipping and fly posting have also fallen by 70 and 20 per cent respectively.
These falls have been attributed to both the proactive approach of the Environmental Crime Unit, and its joint working with other agencies within the Hull Citysafe partnership, including the police and fire services.
"We also need to thank those residents and businesses who act responsibly in disposing of their waste, as well as responsible dog owners, and landowners who keep their properties clean and tidy," adds Mr Cornall.
"But we still need more people to take an active role in helping to identify environmental criminals, so that we can take more enforcement action."

Don't get in a mess

dispose of your litter responsibly or you could face a fixed penalty of £75 or a fine of up to £2,500. If you feel that extra litter bins are needed in your neighbourhood contact 300300
if you're a dog owner (and a quarter of Hull people are!) always take a bag and dispose of your dog's mess responsibly, otherwise you could face a fixed penalty of £50 or a fine of up to £1,000
abandoning a vehicle illegally could lead to a fixed penalty of £200 or a £2,500 fine. You can have vehicles removed free under the council's 'takeback' scheme by contacting 300300. Alternatively, contact the Environment Agency (0870 850 6506 or www.environment-agency.gov.uk), Car Takeback (0845 257 3233 or www.cartakeback.com) or Autogreen (0800 542 2002 or www.autogreen.org)
don't advertise your events with illegal posters. Contact 300300 to check if you need approval from the council's planning or highways sections. Otherwise you could face a fixed penalty of £75 or a fine of up to £2,500 per poster
make sure you keep your property clean and tidy, and that you use your household wheelie bin, otherwise you could face a fixed penalty of up to £100, or a fine of up to £5,000

Fight against fly tipping

The Environment Agency, in partnership with Hull City Council, has launched the region's biggest-ever clampdown on fly tipping.
It targets residents who are illegally dumping waste or hiring an unlicensed contractor to do so, as well as small to medium-sized businesses who may not realise their responsibilities.
"We want to remind people they have a duty of care and that there are routes other than fly tipping, such as the council's bulky items collection service," said Environment Agency spokesperson Emma Jaques.
Residents who fail to check if their waste carrier is licensed could face prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.
But the campaign's website lets residents make the necessary checks, as well as allowing potential waste-carrying companies to apply for licences.
You can also report fly tipping offences on the website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fly-tipping or by calling 0870 850 6506.

You can find out about the council's bulky items collection service by ringing 300300.

info

If you see an environmental crime taking place, you should record details of the persons and/or vehicles involved, and contact the council on 300300.


< back	top ^