Richmond Falls targeted in anti-littering campaign

North Yorkshire Council has teamed up with parish and town councils to encourage residents and visitors to protect the environment, particularly with the school holidays coming up.

To remind people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, parish and town councils will be displaying anti-littering posters.

Litter at Richmond Falls (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The campaign is aimed at generating a debate about the issues of littering, and the impact it has on communities across the county.

It will feature common terms using the Yorkshire dialect including ‘Gerrit in’t bin’ and ‘Take yer litter home, ta’.

North Yorkshire Council is installing posters in laybys and at busy tourist hotspots from Richmond Falls to Scarborough and Whitby’s coastal areas.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for street scene, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “We know that most residents and visitors dispose of their litter correctly, they either find a bin or take it home with them.

“We’re very lucky to live in such a beautiful place and welcome visitors who come here to enjoy the stunning locations that are on our doorstep.

Litter picking at Richmond Falls (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

“However, there is a small minority of people who don’t respect their local environment and show a blatant disregard for the places they live or visit."

Road users will also be reminded not to litter from vehicles as the high-profile campaign includes anti-littering messages on car parking tickets, on petrol pumps, at service stations and on buses operating across North Yorkshire.

Cllr Duncan added: “This summer campaign is an important way to encourage pride in our communities and spread the anti-littering message, which we are doing with the help of town and parish councils, partners and businesses.

“We know there are countless volunteer groups and individuals who got out in towns and villages, working hard to keep them looking amazing.

“They shouldn’t have to do this. We want residents and visitors to know that dropping litter is unacceptable. We’re proud of where we live, North Yorkshire is a stunning county, and we want it to stay that way.

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“Tackling littering is one of our key priorities as we look to protect wildlife and the environment. We hope our message will resonate in all corners of the county to make North Yorkshire a pleasant place to live, work and visit.”

There are more than 100 parish and town councils joining the campaign with more than 800 posters due to be appearing in towns and villages across the county.

The chairman of Scorton Parish Council, David Rafelt, said: "Litter is unsightly, damaging to wildlife and detrimental to the wider environment, both locally and globally.

“It is also completely unnecessary. Littering is disrespectful and lazy, it is so easy to use a bin or take it home. I urge everyone to look after their community and our planet.”