A SOCIETY leader has said Slough locals need to have a more "positive attitude" towards tackling the litter problem in the town.
Tirza Meinema, of the Slough Anti-Litter Society, explained there is “only so much the council can do" when it comes to picking up rubbish on Slough streets.
This comes after a resident contacted the Slough Observer last week sharing his frustrations on the amount of litter that wasn’t being cleared away on the road where he lives.
Daniel Ciecielag, who lives on Princes Street, had emailed the council multiple times to ask them to clean up his street and the surrounding areas but said they were doing nothing to help.
But Mrs Meinema, who runs Slough Anti-Litter Society, said residents shouldn’t just be blaming the council for not taking action.
“I have several pictures showing people just standing up and walking away without throwing their litter in the bin,” Mrs Meinema said.
“People just leave whatever they have as if someone will come and pick it up after them.
“I agree the council should do better but they are not responsible for picking all the litter but they should, however, be emptying the bins regularly.”
READ MORE: Council slammed over 'unacceptable' amount of litter plaguing Slough streets
Mrs Meinema added the society is trying to do more in the community, on top of the litter picks, to address the problem.
She said: “We are always talking to people out on our litter picks but the people of Slough need a more motivating and positive attitude towards our town for us to make a change.
“I personally think the council should start up an active project which encourages residents to chat about any issues they have with dedicated people who are in charge of litter in our area.
“Litter needs to be more talked about and it’s not just our town it’s a much wider problem.”
When contacted for a comment on the issues surrounding rubbish in Slough, a council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, despite the numerous bins across the town, on the street, in parks and along pathways, some people still leave litter on the floor without a care; without caring for the environment, without caring for their local community and without caring about the taxpayers’ money which is required to clean up after them.
“Not only is it unsightly, but can be dangerous to pets, small children, and wildlife.
“It turns our beautiful and well-loved open spaces into messes.“
But the spokesperson added, like Mrs Meinema, that it’s not just a Slough problem.
“We doubt there is any town in the country which doesn’t have issues with litter of one sort or the other and it is not the council in any of these places who are to blame,” they said.
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The council spokesperson explained the only people to blame is those who leave litter and rubbish behind them.
They said there is always a minority in any town but their actions have a “negative impact” on everyone.
The spokesperson concluded: “We are extremely grateful for the assistance of groups like the Slough Anti-Litter Society and all the individuals who help keep local streets clean and tidy, by taking direct action litter picking instead of just complaining and walking away, or those who do their bit simply by using a bin or taking their rubbish home with them. “
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