New, innovative community projects against litter will be able to bid for the new Government Litter Innovation Fund. Almost £500,000 will be awarded to community projects to tackle the blight of littering which can reduce the attractiveness of historic towns and cities both for residents and for tourism.
The money will support the development of new innovation and approaches for tackling litter, from behavioural research for better positioned bins and recycling points so more people throw their rubbish away, to digital technology. This includes apps and ‘smart-bins’ that can text alerts to rubbish collectors when they are full, stopping litter from spilling out onto high streets or leading people to litter nearby.
The Government has also published responses to its consultation on increasing fines for littering. An overwhelming majority of responses (87%) agreed that the fixed penalties for littering should be increased. Similar majorities also agreed that the fixed penalties for graffiti, flyposting and the unauthorised distribution of free literature in designated places should be increased in line with changes to the fine for littering. The Government will take these into account when developing further litter policy.