Park bins contain 'about 80% of household waste'

People are being urged to keep a town's parks and play areas clean after large amounts of household waste were dumped in public bins.

Cullompton Town Council said an estimated 80% of waste collected from bins across the town's parks on Friday was considered to be household waste rather than litter generated by people using park facilities.

It said the bins were provided for "waste created while visiting our parks and play areas" and not to be used for household waste.

The authority said "every additional collection costs public money that could otherwise be invested in maintaining parks, improving play areas and delivering other community services".

The council said it fully appreciated residents contributed through council tax, but added the budget for the bins was based on an expected level of litter from people using parks and play areas.

"The increasing disposal of household waste has meant the council has already doubled the frequency of collections, yet bins are still overflowing." it added.

It thanked those who used the facilities responsibly, but said, if a bin was full, to try another one or to take rubbish home.

"Please do not dispose of household waste in litter bins or leave bags beside them," it said.

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