Litter-busting minibin scheme launched in Fleetwood

5,000 minibins haven been distributed to shops and pubs throughout the town by Fleetwood Town Council as part in an effort to tackle the twin scourges of cigarette and chewing gum stubs discarded on the streets.

The small containers can be used to stub out a cigarette and store the butt until it can be dropped into a street bin on the street or at home.

They can be used in the same way with chewing gum stubs, and they are free of charge.

The scheme was agreed by the town council at a meeting earlier this year.

Coun Mary Stirzaker, chairman of Fleetwood Town Council, says she realised there was a need to do something after she counted 166 chewing gum stubs and 113 cigarette butts scattered on the ground near one of the worst areas for the problem, around the Fisherman’s Walk clock.

She said: “It’s just unacceptable and creates a terrible impression.

“We want people to have some pride in where they live and we think this will work.”

Coun Stirzaker said she had not encountered any scepticism about whether the worst offenders would use the minibins and said: “I’m very confident that people will use them.

“I think the people who normally litter will be afraid of the fines they will have to pay if they get caught by the litter enforces - £100 or £80 if you pay straight away,

“A lot of people couldn’t afford that.

“The town council is proud to be trying to do something about a horrible problem and make the town cleaner.”

Coun Lorraine Beavers, who has been distributing some of the minibins to outlets across the town, said: “We’ve had positive reactions from everywhere we’ve been.

“People are sick of the chewing gum and cigarette butts and want a cleaner town.”

Sponsorship for the project has come from Wyre Council and an unnamed Fleetwood sponsor.

Although the total cost of the project is £3,650, with the combined sponsorship of £906.42, the town council will be paying £2,743.58 for the mini-bins.

The mini-bins have been given a bespoke design, including the logo of Fleetwood Town Council and bearing the name of Wyre Council.

The scheme will be backed by efforts to get the anti-litter message across in schools throughout the town.

One of the outlets stocking the minibin is the Perfect Image of Fleetwood hairdressers, on Poulton Road.

Owner Diane Hanratty said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea.

“Chewing gum on the ground is disgusting, I’ve always hated it and these days, because of Covid, it’s even worse"

The minibins have been distributed to all of Fleetwood pubs and outlets such as Fleetwood Beach kiosks.

They can be found at all of Fleetwood pubs and outlets including .

Fleetwood beach kiosks including the Affinity site; One stop at Deols on Poulton Road; One stop on Lindel Road, The Dockers Bar, Preston Street, Fleetwood Working Men’s Club on Kemp Street;The Kings own old Comrades Club,on Adelaide Street.