LAWR

STREET SCENE July 2015 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 13 LAWR July Half Page 2015 - PBUV 05 June 2015 16:26:08 (£1bn), mental health (£526m), crime (£348m) and vermin (£10m). Much higher are the external costs, including local disamenity (£702m - £7.6bn) and beach litter disamenity (£521 - £1.1bn). Chris Sherrington, principal con- sultant at Eunomia and one of the researchers on the studies, explained in a blog post last year the importance of highlighting these hidden costs. "One immediate and important effect of this research has been to raise aware- ness among stakeholders that they are, indeed, stakeholders. For example, since the publication of the report, NHS Scotland has shown great interest in the mental health effects of litter and is considering how best to engage in the debate. This is an encouraging trend, and if replicated with other stakeholders should facilitate further uncovering of evidence," he explained. Of course, one of the key stakeholder groups is the public. Much of the focus has been on understanding what motivates people to litter and how they react to it. There are myriad surveys Hubbub says it wants to approach environmental issues in a new way. The charity, formed last year, has just launched its 'NeatStreets' campaign with Westminster City Council. Having searched the world for innovative campaigns, it's focusing on encouragement rather than punishment to tackle litter in Villiers Street, central London. The street has the second biggest footfall in the capital and is cleaned eight times a day. Known as a "dirty rat-run", Hubbub is working with council to restore some pride to the locality. There is a street gallery of posters with photographs of local people holding a 'My street is your street' card, as well as an 'interactive' bin and a 'peppermint pointillist' where passer-by can stick their chewing gum. A neat idea to encourage cleaner streets

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