Published: Tuesday, 01st March 2022
Our staff are out seven days a week cleaning up the borough.
And since September we’ve been doing even more thanks to the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign.
So far, we’ve picked up an extra 100 tons of rubbish and cleaned up dozens of streets and alleyways across the wards we've visited.
Lots of residents have already got behind Don’t Trash Oldham by carrying out litter picks and keeping their communities tidy.
Now we’re encouraging those who want to ‘do their bit’ and improve their neighbourhoods to sign up and take part in the Great British Spring Clean.
There is still plenty of time to sign up and get involved in the event, which runs from March 25 until April 10.
The national campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, has one simple aim - to bring together people from across our neighbourhoods to clear up the litter and waste that sadly blights our districts, villages, and countryside.
We’re committed to keeping the borough clean – that’s why we started Don’t Trash Oldham.
And our work is seeing results – residents are telling us so.
But it’s not just about picking up litter. It’s also about sending a clear message to those who drop litter and dump waste: it’s not acceptable and if we find evidence then we will take action.
Since September we have handed out 301 fines to people who think they can get away with dumping waste and leaving our staff to pick it up – meaning other council tax payers have to foot the bill.
This month we are cleaning up Werneth and Chadderton South.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Any councillor across the country will tell you that one of the biggest issues raised with them regularly is fly-tipping and litter.
“We know that the vast majority of people do take pride in their communities and keep them clean and tidy - but, unfortunately, there is always a small minority who don’t.
“We’ve listened and that’s why we have put more resources into cleaning up the borough.
“Our staff and councillors are doing a great job with the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign and it’s great to see groups like the Ghazali Trust, My Coldhurst, Uppermill, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Oldham, Street Scene Greenfield Group and the Uppermill Community Action Network regularly out cleaning up.
“It’s also been really nice to see a number of schools getting involved and tidying up the areas around their grounds.
“It would be great if even more people got involved and got behind The Great British Spring Clean which is a good way to help improve their neighbourhoods.
“Cleaning up our communities costs residents and the council hundreds of thousands of pounds each year, so initiatives like this not only help improve the area but also save money."
Find out more about any events in your area, information about the campaign or how to take part, go to https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/
Share any photos or videos with us and make sure to use the hashtags #DontTrashOldham #GBSpringClean and #GBSchoolClean
The council supports community litter picks and loans out equipment.
You can contact us to book a time to pick up equipment for community groups by emailing EnvironmentalServices@oldham.gov.uk
If you want us to remove bagged litter after an organised group litter pick, we will need to agree dates, times, and locations in advance.
Please give us as much notice as possible so we can support you. However, if you are doing this as an individual, do not let this stop you from litter picking, just put any waste you collect in your bin at home.