Where did all the public bins in Jesmond go?
Lockdown restrictions have encouraged more people to enjoy public outdoor spaces, such as our parks. But a common question being asked by people enjoying the fresh air in places like Jesmond Dene is: Where did all the litter bins go? And why are the remaining bins always so full?
There are fewer than half the number of bins today in Jesmond than there were four years ago, according to Newcastle City Council figures obtained by JesmondLocal. In 2017, the council reduced the number of public litter bins across Newcastle and installed larger bins to replace the smaller previous ones.
“Through consultation with both residents and councillors we identified which parts of the city produced the most litter, how many bins there were in those areas and whether the size and location of those bins were appropriate,” said a Newcastle City Council spokesperson. In 2017 there were 188 street litter bins in the North and South Jesmond ward areas. “Many were small, old and damaged. As a result of our review, we moved some bins and replaced others with larger ones, which increased the overall capacity across the city.”
Ward boundaries have changed, meaning a direct comparison is not possible. However, the current North and South Jesmond wards contain 70 newer, larger capacity bins. The council spokesperson says these are of comparable total capacity to those previously in the area. “Each is fitted with sensors that ensure we can more effectively empty them, something that has reduced reports of overflowing rubbish.”
However, some residents say they miss the old days when there were simply more bins.
“I would never have noticed the reduction in bins except I have a dog and I ended up walking for longer and longer with my rubbish until I found a bin,” said Joanne Turner, a florist who used to walk her dog in Jesmond Dene, and found herself having to take her rubbish home. “It’s not much fun when it’s a dog poop bag,” said Turner.
Teaching assistant Donna Farrell, another dog-walker in Jesmond, says she feels the same. “There’s not one bin on the top path in Jesmond Dene,” Farrell said. She says installing dog waste bins on some lamp posts, as North Tyneside Council has done, would be a good idea.
Bins in Wallsend, North Tyneside. Follow its example, says Farrell. Photo: Donna Farrell.
Last summer, Vic Keytee and her family did some litter picking in Jesmond Dene. Starting at the Castles Farm Road entrance, she says the family filled four plastic bags before long. “We had too much to carry, long before we got down to the pavilion, where the nearest bin is now,” said Keytee.
Abbey Jones, who also litter-picked in Jesmond Dene this summer, says she always carries bags to hold litter when she goes out, but says she thinks sometimes the rubbish is too much to carry home. “I always bring a little bag for my rubbish if I’m going to be in the Dene long and have brought a few snacks and drinks,” said Jones.
Litter on Clayton Road 
Litter on Clayton Road 
Litter on Akenside Terrace
Would people put their litter into the bins if there were more nearby? Photo: Rachel Wang.
Locals say they have also noticed that the remaining bins have needed to be emptied more frequently. On sunny days – and, during lockdown, even on non-sunny days – many people have enjoyed picnics in their local parks. But that means the smaller number of public bins fill up quickly and become smelly. “Even when people are responsible and put their rubbish in or next to bins, the north east wind often blows litter all over the place if the bins are full,” said Mary Marshall, a writer who visits Jesmond Dene frequently with her child.
“Most people want to use bins, even when they’re overflowing, so people end up shoving their rubbish near it, which looks terrible,” said Joanne Turner. “We need more bins or the ones we already have need to be emptied more than monthly.”
Of course, more bins and more collections mean more expense at a time when Newcastle City Council’s budget is under huge pressure, because of the pandemic and previous austerity cuts.
Richard Bosomworth, a retired pharmaceutical executive who has lived close to the parks in Gosforth for almost 50 years, says the budgets cut of central government since 2011 are mostly to blame. “It was a deliberate policy to reduce the public’s dependence on central government and it became obvious for all to see in our parks when the city council removed hundreds of small litter-bins and replaced them with fewer but bigger bins.”
However, Bosomworth says he doesn’t think more bins would improve the quality of the local environment. “To my surprise, I haven’t seen an increase in litter since the reduction in bin numbers. In fact, it became slightly better, in my opinion,” he said.
Keith Jewitt, a volunteer with Keep Jesmond Clean says he is also “very doubtful that having more bins automatically means cleaner streets”.
Some support a higher penalty for dropping litter. In the UK, the maximum fine for littering is £2,500. The culprit may even be referred to the magistrates’ court.
“If someone is going to litter, it does not matter how many bins are available, they just don’t care. I would rather have wardens issue fines for littering at peak times,” said Emily Wallace, an NHS worker who lives in Jesmond.
Julie McKeown, who works for a different local authority where she liaises with its bin collection team, says that where bins are placed is significant. “If the bins are not immediately available when needed, they’re useless. Place a bin at a bus stop and it will be used. Place it 10 yards from the stop and most people won’t walk to it.” According to McKeown, the best locations for bins are wherever there is a high footfall: park entrances and exits, play areas, school entrances and local shops.
“Please do not drop litter and dispose of your dog waste responsibly, and if you arrive at a bin that is full, please take your rubbish to another bin nearby, or take it home,” is the advice from the Newcastle City Council spokesperson. The council reviews street litter bin locations annually and details of where bins can be found and when they were last emptied is available on this website. “We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our city a clean, green and brilliant place to be,” said the spokesperson.
Some locals think the answer to the litter problem lies in making environmental awareness a greater part of school education. West Jesmond Primary School, for examle, has an Eco Committee, that regularly organises its students to pick up litter around the school, work with Jesmond Community Orchard volunteers, and work creatively with recycled materials,.
“The problem is human behaviour, not the number of bins,” said Ken Scott, a key-worker in Jesmond. He says he is disappointed with the litter on Manor House Road, Queens Road, Devonshire Place and Cavendish Place and says he often sees recyclable material in normal bins.
“One good idea is for more signage at bins and around the area to remind people they have a responsibility to take any rubbish home with them if a bin is full or if they can’t find one. We all need to do our part,” said Stephen John Stanners, a campaign organiser who visits Jesmond Dene weekly.
Noel Harris, a property valuer who goes to the Dene with his two rescue dogs every day, said: “No matter how many bins you put out there, the people who leave rubbish will always leave it. But a few extra ones dotted around the areas most badly affected could help.”
Action needs to be taken, argues Claire Josephine, a self-employed linguist, who points to the “broken window” theory, a criminalogical theory that suggest visible signs of crime and anti-social behaviour simply encourage further acts of crime and disorder. “The council needs to accept that whilst not cleaning saves them money in the short term, longer-term it will cost them more as rubbish and leaves block drains,” she said. “I’d rather pay more in income or council tax and have things clean and tidy.”
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