South Lanarkshire Council highlights scourge of littering as part of anti-social crackdown

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Littering is a year-round problem but during the summer the issue becomes even more of a scourge on parks and open spaces, streets and shopping areas.And the message from South Lanarkshire Council on behalf of residents is clear – respect your surroundings and your neighbours, and don’t hesitate to report those who don’t.A recent report by Keep Scotland Beautiful found that 250 million items of litter are discarded across Scotland every year.Breaking it down it amounts to 50 pieces of litter per person at a cost of £20 per council taxpayer – or £46m per year – to councils to pick it up.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android And in these times when the effects of climate change are all too real, it’s been calculated that those who drop litter are also throwing away up to £1.2m worth of items that could have been recycled.Chair of housing and technical resources, Councillor David McLachlan, said: “Ongoing research by council, charities and government also tells us that streets and open spaces strewn with litter can contribute to increased crime rates and even mental illness."In extreme cases, broken glass, rusty cans, and lit cigarettes left lying around can cost people and animals their health or even their lives.“Littering is a serious form of anti-social behaviour that affects each of us, and it is