Litter pickers are being urged to join a council litter mapping project to find out what type of litter is dumped and where.

Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils launched the litter mapping project together to gather information to help tidy up the most littered spots of the districts.

The summer-long survey asks litter pickers to record the location and types of litter using a survey.

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While the results from litter pickers might include some surprise items (a recent litter pick in Drayton St Leonard unearthed a Victorian Bovril bottle) the survey includes categories for the most commonly littered items including:

  • Bagged dog poo
  • Bottles
  • Cans
  • Cigarette butts
  • Food items
  • Fast food packaging
  • Face masks and disposable gloves

The results will be collated later this year and the information will be passed on to the councils’ envirocrime team to ensure those areas are regularly patrolled.

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South Oxfordshire district councillor, Sue Cooper, said: “We would always encourage people to take their litter home or put it in a bin so items can be disposed of safely. Most litter takes a long time to decompose – even food items.

“We know litter is a concern for many of us and we are so grateful to those who take it upon themselves to litter pick. Litter is also expensive for the councils to clear up, so they are looking at new ways to help improve the issue.”

Read more from this author

This story was written by Rebecca Whittaker, she joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Rebecca covers education and news in Abingdon and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Rebecca.Whittaker@newquest.co.uk or calling 07824524333

Follow her on Twitter @RebecWhitt

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