A new campaign aimed at tackling roadside litter has launched in Dorset.

Litter Free Dorset, a community group combining local organisations and charities, are running the campaign to raise awareness and provide tips in the hopes of tidying up Dorset’s roads.

The group is hoping to reduce the environmental impact of litter across the county, working closely with Dorset Waste Partnership to challenge the issue as part of a wider ‘Litter Free Coast and Sea’ campaign.

Charlie Wild, Litter Free Dorset project officer, said: “The roadsides are what visitors to the area see first when entering our county.

“Dorset is often seen as having rolling green hills and stunning countryside, and we want people to really experience that – whether they live in the area or are visiting for the first time – and not be introduced with lots of rubbish.

“We accept that there are some items that accidentally get blown off the back of lorries or vans, but the majority of the litter we are finding is snack food-related and can easily be avoided to becoming litter.”

Miss Wild added that the group found everything from wet wipes and barbecue items to car parts and kayak vests when they recently carried out a mass clear up of roadside litter. 

She said: “Initial perceptions at the start of the campaign were that the majority of roadside litter would be made up of fast food packaging. However, only a small portion of what we’ve found has come directly from the traditional fast-food outlets.”

People who drop litter in Dorset could be landed with a £75 if they are caught, including those who litter whilst driving.

Cllr Francis Drake, spokesman for community safety at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: "They are doing a marvellous job of clearing up the area, this is what we need to do.

"It's always been a problem, you only have to go through our roads to see litter getting chucked out of people's cars.

"I urge people to help out by taking their rubbish home and putting it in their own bin. We want the general public to take responsibility for their actions."

Litter Free Dorset are appealing to the public to help reduce road litter by: 

  • Not actively throwing litter out of their vehicle windows 
  • Having a container such as a bag, or used coffee cup to use as an in-vehicle bin, and dispose of at the next drop-off point such as petrol station or at home 
  • If they have a van or lorry, ensure its contents are properly secure to reduce chance of fly off