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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Britain is just one big landfill shithole

298 replies

Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 15:33

Been out visiting relatives....I am actually shocked just how bad the litter is. Its bloody everywhere, frankly it's depressing. Where is our Pride? The motorways and A roads are so bad. Along with the absolutely shocking driving standards.

WTAF?

OP posts:
flapjackfairy · 03/02/2025 15:45

i agree totally. It is a cesspit out there. So bloody depressing

floppybit · 03/02/2025 15:48

The trees all along the river banks near me are full of plastic. Every time the river floods all the waste gets trapped in the branches and stays there for years as it doesn't break down. It's so depressing to look at and it would be impossible to clean up. It's a real eye opener about how much plastic is in our rivers, but because we can't see it we like to believe it's not there!

floppybit · 03/02/2025 15:50

Also read a depressing article earlier about how Loch Long in Scotland is horribly polluted with plastic waste

Ablondiebutagoody · 03/02/2025 15:53

floppybit · 03/02/2025 15:48

The trees all along the river banks near me are full of plastic. Every time the river floods all the waste gets trapped in the branches and stays there for years as it doesn't break down. It's so depressing to look at and it would be impossible to clean up. It's a real eye opener about how much plastic is in our rivers, but because we can't see it we like to believe it's not there!

The trees near me are full of plastic bags of dog shit. Like revolting Christmas baubles

Abra1t · 03/02/2025 15:55

I don't understand the mentality of people who think it's ok to chuck rubbish around like this.

TemporaryPosition · 03/02/2025 15:57

Pride in what? It's just another economic zone

Game0fCrones · 03/02/2025 15:57

Its awful until the greenery starts to grow again and hide it.

Whataweirdtime · 03/02/2025 15:59

I noticed this too at the weekend. :(

Original poster
Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 16:00

TemporaryPosition · 03/02/2025 15:57

Pride in what? It's just another economic zone

I guess you are one of the culprits

OP posts:
Cattenberg · 03/02/2025 16:00

In England, (I don’t know about the other UK nations), councils have to clean the streets, but it’s up to them how often they do it. So, in times when budgets are stretched to breaking point, the streets don’t get cleaned very often.

coldcallerbaiter · 03/02/2025 16:01

Should get community service offenders on to it. Or less dangerous prisoners instead of sitting on their arses all day.

Original poster
Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 16:01

floppybit · 03/02/2025 15:50

Also read a depressing article earlier about how Loch Long in Scotland is horribly polluted with plastic waste

Yes I saw that. Utterly depressing

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 16:02

coldcallerbaiter · 03/02/2025 16:01

Should get community service offenders on to it. Or less dangerous prisoners instead of sitting on their arses all day.

I was thinking the same. Why don't they?

OP posts:
BrightOrangeDahlias · 03/02/2025 16:03

I agree OP, it's awful. There's a bridge near me that carries a road over the railway. The council came out in the autumn and cut back the hedges and vegetation, and it exposed so much hidden rubbish it looked like someone had emptied a wheelie bin in the verge. On another occasion a car coming the other way swerved across the white lines onto my side of the road, as a carrier bag of rubbish shot out of the passenger side window. Dirty git had just flung it out, causing him to veer off course. Unfortunately my dashcam didn't get his numberplate due to the light conditions, otherwise I would have reported him. Filthy animals everywhere. 😞

SpringBunnyHopHop · 03/02/2025 16:05

I’m constantly picking litter up from around my street. The majority of it always happens on the day the bin men have been, it’s not just people throwing rubbish onto the ground.

Fluffyholeysocks · 03/02/2025 16:05

TemporaryPosition · 03/02/2025 15:57

Pride in what? It's just another economic zone

Pride in a beautiful country. Pride in the countryside, Pride in our coastline, Pride in our Civic buildings, Pride in our historic monuments, Pride in Forests, National Parks and nature. Thankfully I don't see it as just another economic zone.

squashyhat · 03/02/2025 16:06

We have local volunteers who do regular litter picks. They shouldn't have to, but they take pride in it and encourage others. Maybe start a group in your area OP?

mugglewump · 03/02/2025 16:07

Britain is so far behind other Western nations in terms of waste - we don't have deposit schemes on cans, bottles etc, we were very late on charging for plastic bags and we live on pre-packaged food. We also do not have enough waste bins in public places. I can remember clean up Britain campaigns in the 70s when things weren't nearly as bad as now. We need a new campaign, deposits on all plastics and cans and fines for littering.

MidnightPatrol · 03/02/2025 16:07

Add it to the long list of things councils have just stopped bothering doing to cut costs.

People are scruffy though - I’m always amazed how much rubbish is left in our local park. People come for a nice picnic then… leave all the rubbish on the ground?

Have a pizza sitting on a bench and… just put the box under the seat.

Fairyliz · 03/02/2025 16:07

Cattenberg · 03/02/2025 16:00

In England, (I don’t know about the other UK nations), councils have to clean the streets, but it’s up to them how often they do it. So, in times when budgets are stretched to breaking point, the streets don’t get cleaned very often.

Alternatively people could not throw litter then it wouldn’t matter how often they came around, there would be nothing to clear up.

Original poster
Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 16:07

squashyhat · 03/02/2025 16:06

We have local volunteers who do regular litter picks. They shouldn't have to, but they take pride in it and encourage others. Maybe start a group in your area OP?

Well I have just ordered two litter pickers, so dh and I can start picking up when we go out walking!

OP posts:
Sinkintotheswamp · 03/02/2025 16:10

Yanbu.
I've litter picked my estate for years and between me and the local council litter picker we've got on top of it.

The council won't let me have any plastic bags though as I'd need insurance. Only organised group picks are allowed, which are mostly too little, too late.

Original poster
Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 16:11

MidnightPatrol · 03/02/2025 16:07

Add it to the long list of things councils have just stopped bothering doing to cut costs.

People are scruffy though - I’m always amazed how much rubbish is left in our local park. People come for a nice picnic then… leave all the rubbish on the ground?

Have a pizza sitting on a bench and… just put the box under the seat.

Actually I don't think the state should have to clean up after people.

OP posts:
dickdarstardlymuttley · 03/02/2025 16:15

Isn't this just a consequence of the politics of the UK since George Osborne's austerity? Every single politician appears to be incredibly rich and utterly in relatable with regards to the depressing state of the country.

Wemaybebetterstrangers · 03/02/2025 16:16

Pinkradiolady · 03/02/2025 15:33

Been out visiting relatives....I am actually shocked just how bad the litter is. Its bloody everywhere, frankly it's depressing. Where is our Pride? The motorways and A roads are so bad. Along with the absolutely shocking driving standards.

WTAF?

Where are you??? It’s not like that where we live 🤷‍♀️