Lib Dems Launch Council Campaign to Tackle Student Litter Problems

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Sep 2004

Lib Dem Councillors launched a range of measures today aimed at reducing the litter problems faced when students return to Leeds each Autumn. The new measures represent a considerable expansion of Council activity to keep the City's streets clean during the first few weeks of the academic year.

Executive Board Member responsible for street cleansing, Councillor David Morton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said "While we welcome the many thousands of young people who choose to come to study in Leeds, there have been tremendous problems in the past when the students return each Autumn. With all the events going on during Freshers' week, hundreds of thousands of flyers are handed out - and all too often thrown away. We will do all we can to help students to dispose of rubbish responsibly, while at the same time put the message across that we have a zero tolerance policy in Leeds for those who just drop litter in the street."

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said "With all the excitement of starting University, it can be difficult to get students to think responsibly about their litter. That's why the new administration is making a huge effort this year to raise awareness about the problems that thoughtlessly throwing rubbish away can cause. We think all the effort will be worthwhile if it cuts down on the enormous amounts of rubbish that have to be cleared from student areas in the first few weeks of term."

Student group Community Action Leeds Met (CALM) are fully supportive of the plans, and are stepping up their 'Don't be a Tosser' anti-littering campaign. Spokesman Charlie Cusden said "This is the second year for the 'Don't Be A Tosser' Campaign. We'd like to involve all students in recycling - especially of flyers. We'll work with everyone possible to find a solution to the problem which returns every year with the disposal of flyers."