New bins added along Thanet’s coastline

Over seventy bins are being added along Thanet’s coastline for the summer as visitors to the area are expected to reach another record high. This is in addition to the existing 215 bins which line Thanet’s 19 mile coast.

30 of these bins are brand new ones that Thanet District Council has purchased * as part of its commitment to encourage beach-users to dispose of their rubbish correctly and responsibly.

In response to community feedback, 13 of these have been purchased at larger sizes, increasing capacity from the standard 60 litres to 240 litres at prime locations**.

In the coming months, new SMART sensors will be fitted to the bins with features to alert the council’s street cleansing crews when individual bins are reaching their capacity and require emptying. This will make the service more efficient – not only preventing bins at busier locations over-flowing, but also eliminating unnecessary trips to quieter locations.

As well as litter bins, the council has installed additional dog bins which hold a greater capacity at hot-spot locations across the district.

Based on feedback from beach businesses specifically, the council is also placing new signs to encourage beach users to put their rubbish in nearby council bins instead of using bins inside beach shops. These signs will be rolled out across the district, starting at Joss Bay.

Cllr Suzanne Brimm, Cabinet Member for Operational Services at Thanet District Council, said:

“Thanet’s beaches are one of our greatest assets and we are always working hard to ensure they are kept clean and welcoming for both the residents and the thousands of tourists who choose to visit each year. More bins and increasing capacities are just one of a range of council initiatives to encourage beach users to be responsible with their litter. By working closely with the community and responding to their feedback, we hope to make a considerable difference to the ongoing cleanliness of our beaches!”

The council is also educating beach-users about disposing litter responsibly via its x15 #2minutebeachclean stations at the Isle’s beaches; ‘Love Your Beach’ noticeboards at entries to the beach; and water quality initiatives, such as seasonal sea gull shelters and bird-scarers.

For more beach-related information visit: www.thanet.gov.uk/loveyourbeach