Residents and businesses are being urged to join forces with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bath Business Improvement District to tackle the gull menace by taking part in a campaign endorsed by Keep Britain Tidy.
The Don’t Feed the Animals campaign is intended to revolutionise the thinking of everyone in the area about the role people have to play in combating litter and detritus.
A special poster has been created that is available for free to anyone in the area who wishes to put one up on their windows or notice boards. It embraces four key actions:
- Use your household food waste container
- Don’t feed animals and birds in parks, open spaces, and on the streets
- Put your food litter in the bin, don’t drop it in the street
- Report to Council Connect litter hot spots
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said, “Food waste that has not been disposed of properly is easy pickings for animals and birds. This includes people throwing down stale bread and food leftovers to feed animals for fun.
I spoke to him about the new campaign:
Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with the Bath BID and Keep Britain Tidy, believe that if people act more responsibly and follow the simple actions we are endorsing it will put the area in a stronger position to look greener, cleaner, and tidier.
“I am actively encouraging residents and businesses to contact me for one of our posters. The message must be spread far and wide – Don’t Feed the Animals.”
People can contact Councillor Crossley for a poster via communications_marketing@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 477495.
Phil Barton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said, “Food litter is unsightly and unhygienic and a blight on local areas. Bath is not alone – there are many other places nationwide with the same issue.
Fast food litter, in particular, is on the increase but the solution is literally in our own hands – local people and visitors should take the lead by clearing up after themselves, and not giving the opportunity for animals and birds to feed from food litter.”
Andrew Cooper, Bath BID Manager, said, “Everyone wants to enjoy the world heritage city of Bath without being plagued by seagulls and pigeons. Food waste is a big part of the problem and the Bath BID has already worked with businesses to take more action in the way food waste is disposed of responsibility with seagull proof bags. Any action that residents, business and visitors can take to eliminate the food source of gulls and other pests is welcome. I urge businesses to get in touch to obtain a poster and put up where they can to reinforce the message.”
The Council’s webpage provides more information about the four actions that people can take in the Don’t Feed the Animals campaign – www.bathnes.gov.uk/dontfeed
