Warm weather yesterday (July 30) brought crowds to isle beaches but the recurring issue of rubbish left on the sands and pavements was evident yet again.
In Margate and at Viking Bay rubbish had piled up on promenades, next to large dustbins, and was noticeable on beaches.
One resident said: “The rubbish is an ongoing issue and made worse with them taking all the bins away in (Broadstairs) high street.
“We need better bins that the seagulls can’t get in and in the summer, more collections.”
The resident also suggested use of a street cleaning machine.
Others have said people should be responsible and either bin their rubbish or take it home while some have suggested additional bin emptying in the early evening and more robust fining for those leaving their rubbish behind.
Thanet council says there are 100 extra bins along the coastline this year and 30 large mixed recycling bins as part of the annual Beach Management Plan.
A spokesperson added: “Our Waste and Recycling teams work extended hours during the summer months. Dedicated cleaning crews are on duty every day from 6am to 6pm, extended to 8pm when required, emptying the bins on our most popular beaches twice every day and collecting litter. This summer, we have three additional crews in place.
“We also employ four litter pickers who cover the four main beaches: Margate Main Sands, Joss Bay and Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Main Sands.”
Enforcement officers are tasked with patrolling main beaches and promenades and talking to people about disposing of rubbish responsibly.
The spokesperson added: “(Enforcement officers) take part in litter picks, and so far this year, have given out 600 litter sacks which were used to collect large quantities of rubbish. Community groups also fund litter bag stations at a range of beach locations.
“We use social media throughout the summer, encouraging people not to litter, and to take their rubbish home with them if the bins are full.
Volunteers play an important role, and we are grateful for the time they dedicate to beach litter picks. Bay inspectors also support us by issuing rubbish bags to the public, speaking to people who litter and monitoring how full bins are.
“We continue to work with partners and community groups on campaigns to remind people to take responsibility for their own waste and respect the environment around them.”
This summer’s litter does not, however, resemble the mountains left on beaches in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, Thanet council collected over 5 tonnes of litter from isle parks, streets and beaches, some 3.5 tonnes of that was just from beaches.
Workers also cleared 100 tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish, emptied 900 tonnes of rubbish from bins and cleared 840,00 tonnes of detritus during street sweeping.
The cost of that cleaning and litter collections to Thanet District Council was £1.9million.
