Litter Removal

Litter

We are responsible for removing litter from all paved and non-paved areas, verges and open areas, which includes the removal of litter from:

• Against or on the tops of walls, fences, steps or other raised surfaces (except where such litter cannot be removed safely without the use of special equipment)
• Grit bins
• Overhanging trees to a height of 2 metres
• From and around street furniture
• From and around temporary obstructions such as scaffolding
• From hedgerows and shrubbery
• From street refuges and traffic islands.

How do I report a problem with litter?

Problem areas should be reported to us using the details on the right of this page.

Litter Bins

Who is responsible for litter bins?

All black bins with a gold Oxford City Council logo are our responsibility.

Litter bins are usually placed in areas of high pedestrian traffic and where a litter problem has been identified, particularly in the city centre, outside local shops and other high litter areas.

Any other bins within the city are the individual responsibility of shops.

How do I report a problem with a litter bin?

Any problem with a bin that does not belong to the council (not black and gold) should be reported directly to the shop owner.

We have dedicated crews who empty the bins on regular schedules devised to ensure that no bin overflows. We also inspect and refurbish them regularly.

If you notice a damaged or overflowing bin then please report it using our Local View website.

How long will it take you to investigate any problems?

We will check and clean bins within 4 hours of getting the report.

Chewing Gum Removal

Oxford city centre suffers from a high level of improper chewing gum disposal and it costs taxpayers £45,000 a year to clear up.

Discarded gum can be dangerous for wild animals and pets. It can get caught in feathers and fur and if swallowed can lead to suffocation.

What is the Council doing to tackle chewing gum litter?

Wrap it, Bin it, Easy Isn't it? - that's the message Oxford City Council is promoting in our campaign to tackle the problem of chewing gum in the city.

The aim of the advertising campaign is to raise awareness of the problem of chewing gum litter and encourage people to throw it away responsibly.

What is the fine for dropping gum?

If a person is caught dropping gum it is the same as littering and is subject to a fine or Fixed Penalty Notice of £75.

Environmental Enforcement Officers also target people who drop cigarette butts and litter. For more information about Environmental Enforcement, please visit our Environmental Enforcement pages.

Page last reviewed 7 Oct 2008