Islanders Asked To Help Island Stay Looking Its Best

Islanders making the most of the first heatwave of the year are being asked to help keep the Isle of Wight looking its best.

With more people heading to beaches, parks and beauty spots, rubbish bins across the Island are filling up more quickly than usual.

The Isle of Wight Council is reminding residents and visitors that a few simple actions can make a big difference in keeping public spaces clean and enjoyable for everyone.

The message forms part of the council’s summer push to reduce litter and protect the Island’s natural environment during the busiest time of year.

Natasha Dix, the council’s strategic director for waste, environment and planning, said: “Islanders are being asked to do their bit to keep our beautiful Island tidy this summer.

"It’s fantastic to see so many people out enjoying everything the Isle of Wight has to offer during this spell of warm weather. However, with that comes extra pressure on our bins and public spaces.

"We’re simply asking people to plan ahead — bring a bag for your rubbish and, if a bin is full, take it with you until you can dispose of it properly.

"By making small changes to our habits, we can all help protect the Island’s environment and keep it looking its best for everyone to enjoy.”

The council and its partners are already taking steps to manage the seasonal increase in visitors and waste, including:

• increasing the frequency of litter bin emptying over the summer months;

• using targeted communications to encourage responsible behaviour;

• focusing Public Realm Officers on enforcement activity;

• supporting community litter picks and beach cleans, including collection support.

• Bin emptying schedules are already stepped up during peak periods.

In summer months, town centres and esplanades are emptied daily, rising to twice daily at peak times between June and August, while residential areas continue to be serviced regularly. Dog bins are also emptied more frequently during spring and summer.

Despite these increased efforts, demand can still exceed capacity in the busiest locations.

Encouragingly, over the recent bank holiday weekend many beach users took their litter to collection points rather than leaving it behind — a positive shift that shows behaviour can change.

However, this also led to waste becoming concentrated in certain areas, creating visible pressure at key points. It is important to recognise that:

• more bins do not always mean less litter;

• in some locations, additional bins can attract and concentrate waste;

• littering is driven as much by behaviour as it is by bin provision.

Natasha added: “Keeping the Island clean is something we all share responsibility for, and I’d like to thank the many residents and visitors who already go the extra mile to dispose of their waste properly.

"With warm weather set to continue, our message is simple — if a bin is full, please take your rubbish home with you.

"By doing that, we can all help keep the Isle of Wight a place we’re proud of, now and throughout the summer.”

Ten simple ways to help keep the Island tidy

• Heading out for a picnic? Take a rubbish bag and pack your waste away.

• Carry a few extra bags to share with family or friends.

• If a bin is full, use another nearby — or take your rubbish home.

• Do not leave bags beside bins, as they can split or be scattered.

• Ensure disposable barbecues are fully cooled before safe disposal.

• Dog waste can be placed in general litter bins if dog bins are full.

• Check you are using a licensed carrier for private waste collection.

• Consider getting involved in a local litter pick.

• Encourage others to take responsibility for their rubbish.

• Take pride in the Island we all share.

Residents and communities also play a vital role in keeping the Island clean. You can help by:

• promoting responsible behaviour when out and about;

• supporting local litter picks and volunteer groups;

• encouraging friends and family to take their litter home.

If you see an issue we do encouraged everyone to report it through the correct channels so they can be dealt with quickly:

• Report street cleaning issues, including full bins on highways and pavements.

• Report litter or fly-tipping on public land.

• Report dangerous litter (such as broken glass or needles).