Veolia and Southend-on-Sea City Council have joined forces to tackle the issue of litter on the seafront with their newly launched “Just Bin It” campaign.
The campaign promotes a cleaner and more environmentally friendly Southend-on-Sea with talking bins and glow-in-the-dark signs.
The Veolia-funded Big Belly bins will be at prime seafront locations all summer and are equipped with smart technology, allowing them to compact waste and provide live information on how full they are. Best of all, they celebrate every time someone uses them by playing music, from Funk to Drum and Bass!
Glow-in-the-dark stickers featuring positive playful slogans such as "Thanks for binning your rubbish, babes" have also been placed on other bins along the seafront, particularly in high footfall areas such as Marine Parade and Western Esplanade. The neon stickers will help people find the bins after dark and remind them to dispose of their rubbish appropriately.
Elsewhere, bins will have new signs, reminding visitors to take their rubbish home with them in the event that the bin is already full. These signs feature a QR code so people can report a full bin on the Council's My Southend portal.
The “neon” design approach, eye-catching posters and banners along the seafront are targeting both tourists and locals alike. Local traders are encouraged to participate in the campaign too by displaying posters and promoting the importance of keeping the seafront clean for everyone to enjoy.
Keep an eye out for fun anti-litter memes and informative content across social media encouraging the public to share their commitment to a cleaner Southend-on-Sea through their own posts using the hashtag #JustBinIt.
Stuart Atkinson, Senior Contract Manager, Veolia UK said: “I am delighted to be launching this new anti-litter initiative on Southend's seafront. At Veolia, we understand that tackling litter requires creative solutions and this innovative campaign not only aims to keep the seafront clean but also encourages both local residents and the many thousands of visitors that enjoy Southend, to take responsibility for their actions in a fun and memorable way.
We're looking forward to a cleaner and more sustainable seafront for present and future generations to enjoy."
Cllr Meg Davidson, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: "Southend-on-Sea City Council and Veolia are determined to combat the blight of littering and protect the city's beautiful 7 miles of coastline and beach. By working together and engaging the community, we aim to create a cleaner and more pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy, and we hope that these new bins and the wider campaign will be impactful and deliver results."