'Any Bin Will Do' For Your Dog Waste In Merton


Litter enforcement activity is also stepped up

Merton Council is cracking down on dog waste and litter as it launches its 'Any bin will do' campaign this week.

Now dog walkers can bag and drop their dog's poo into any litter bin in the borough reducing the need to hunt round for a dog waste bin. 

From Sunday (August 23), Merton has been stepping up its enforcement activity as officers patrol parks and open spaces as well as town centres, issuing on the spot £80 fines to people caught dropping litter or not picking up after their dog.

The borough council's last residents' survey showed the biggest concern of residents in Merton was litter and dirt in the streets.

More than 1,000 people were surveyed for the 2014 report, with 34% including it as one of their top three issues of concern. This compares with 30% in the previous year.

The council has been criticised by Tory councillors for reducing the number of street cleaners employed in the borough and removing dog waste bins across Merton in 2016-17.

But Merton Council's cabinet member for environmental cleanliness Councillor Judy Saunders said: "The majority of our residents look after where they live. The success of our Love Your Street campaign is testament to that. Sadly though there are still people who think it’s acceptable to drop litter and not pick up after their dog.

“Since April our enforcement officers have issued over 2000 fixed penalty notices to people caught littering in our town centres. We’re now stepping up our campaign by expanding the patrol to litter and dog fouling hotspots in our parks and open spaces.

“We want everyone to enjoy Merton parks and by saying ‘any bin will do’ we’re making it even easier for dog walkers, so there really are no excuses not to pick up after your dog.”

Merton resident and dog walker, Tanya Buller, said: "I tend to plan my walk around where the dog waste bins are. Being able to use any litter bin will make a big difference to me and encourage people to pick up after their dog."

August 25, 2015

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Tanya Buller with council leader Stephen Alambritis