THE Guernsey Litter Forum has launched a voluntary code of conduct for beach kiosks and takeaways. Its introduction coincides with Litter Awareness Week, during which a range of activities will promote the anti-litter message.
‘Guernsey has never had a litter code of conduct before and this new initiative, even though it is voluntary, will make a difference,’ said forum chairman Richard Brache.
‘It’s been drawn up in such a way that it is clear, easy to understand and has been set out to make it easy for proprietors to support it.’
Certificates show which outlets have signed up to the code, which commits them to clear up rubbish from outside their premises at least twice a day.
It also means they will reduce packaging as much as possible, clean the shop frontage each week and display anti-littering messages.
Based on a similar code used in the UK by the Tidy Britain Group, its introduction follows a meeting which saw support from proprietors.
Forum members visited Town and experienced the scale of the problem early one Sunday morning.
‘What was clear from our visit is that overnight litter in Town is a two-fold problem,’ said Mr Brache.
‘First of all there is litter thoughtlessly discarded by pub- and club-goers as they visit the Town takeaways after a night’s drinking. Secondly there is the litter created by seagulls ripping open flimsy bags to get at food inside.’
The code asks for appropriate containers for the storage of refuse to reduce the chance of seagulls attacking the bags.
‘The measures contained in the code should really help reduce the litter in these parts of Town and allow the States Works to concentrate more of its efforts in other problem areas.’
Port Soif kiosk is one establishment backing the scheme.
‘It’s definitely needed. I think any positive idea towards people picking up their litter and making the island as beautiful as it really is will help,’ said manager Jan Le Noury, who has signed up to the code.
‘I want to make people more knowledgeable that it starts with them really and to also start thinking about the costs that go into it - if they drop their litter, someone has to pick it up.’
She said the scheme was about education - the main problem she had was smokers dropping their butts on the floor. Groups of youngsters also tended to litter.
‘We’re just carrying on as normal and I think being an example helps. My staff always pick up any litter on the floor basically straight away.
‘I think the buck stops with all of us; we’ve all got to do our bit.’
Vazon Bay kiosk manager Nic Percy is hopeful the awareness week and code will help get the message across.
‘There are four bins out front and a lot of people use them, but there are people who don’t, especially ones using their cars,’ he said. ‘We’re forever picking stuff up. We try our best to keep it as tidy as possible; there are enough bins for people to use, but some are just lazy.’
He added that it was only the minority who made it a problem.
Article posted on 9th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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