Laura Sharman 27 March 2018

Littered bottles killing millions of small mammals

Up to 3.2 million shrews, voles and mice are being killed every year due to littered drinks bottles, a report from Keep Britain Tidy has revealed.

The report found that more than 8% of bottles and almost 5% of the cans collected from roadsides and in lay-bys contained the remains of some of smallest native mammals, common shrews, pygmy shrews, bank voles and wood mice.

The charity’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said: ‘We are spending millions of pounds every year cleaning up after selfish drivers who seem to think it is acceptable to throw their rubbish out of their car, van or lorry, turning our roadsides into a giant heartless wasteland.

‘Now, thanks to this study, we know that they are not only making our country look filthy, they are also killing of our shrews and voles.’

Keep Britain Tidy hopes councils use CCTV footage and new regulations to tackle environmental vandalism.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities

Essex County Council
Negotiable
Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities - Maldon District CouncilMaldon District CouncilPermanent, Full TimeUp to £88,700 per annumLocation England, Essex, Maldon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner