Straps on bins could stop litter

Motion agreed The SNP's Linlithgow councillor Pauline Orr

- STUART SOMMERVILLE

West Lothian could introduce straps for wheelie bin lids in a bid to control the scourge of windblown litter in communities and the countryside.

Litter has been much more visible after a winter of violent storms including Eowyn in January upended bins across towns and villages.

It prompted groups including West Lothian Litter Pickers to advocate the use of bin straps as a simple, low cost way to help cut the amount of household rubbish clogging streets and hedges.

A meeting of the full council this week backed a motion from Linlithgow SNP councillor Pauline Orr to look at the feasibility of securing bins.

Councillor Orr raised the motion in response to concerns from the Litter Pickers, who give up their own time to help keep local streets, parks and countryside clean and safe.

The group highlighted how unsecured bins - particularly blue and green bins filled with lightweight waste - are contributing to litter being blown across communities and into the natural environment.

A spokesperson for the West Lothian Litter Pickers said the group was " delighted" at the decision and had provided prototypes to the council.