Council joins forces with Trolleywise to rid the area of abandoned supermarket trolleys.
RESIDENTS in North East Lincolnshire are being asked to report any abandoned supermarket trolleys found in the borough to a new hotline number.
North East Lincolnshire Council has joined forces with the company Trolleywise to help stop abandoned trolleys polluting the area’s waterways, play areas and parks.
Trolleywise, who have been carrying out patrols across the UK since 2006, will now collect any abandoned trolleys from the North East Lincolnshire area when reported by members of the public.
Councillor Peter Wheatley, portfolio holder for regeneration and environment, said: “We have been working with supermarkets for some time now to encourage them to introduce measures to stop their customers from being able to remove trolleys from the boundaries of their stores.
“I am pleased to say that we have seen a reduction in the amount of trolleys being found discarded. In 2011 we collected about 30 trolleys per month, but now it is closer to only 10 per month.
“Improvements have been made but abandoned trolleys make the area look neglected. Therefore we need to take steps to ensure that they are collected and returned to the supermarkets as efficiently as possible without the cost being picked up by tax payers. This is why we have enlisted the help of Trolleywise.”
The council is using the legislation set out under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 and will partner with Trolleywise to implement it.
Trolleywise has a number of contracts with local supermarkets, and any trolleys owned by these stores will be returned straight to them. Any trolleys collected from other supermarket chains will be temporarily held by the council. These supermarkets will have six weeks to claim them. If they are claimed and are collected during this period a £55 charge will be imposed. If the trolleys are not claimed then supermarkets will be charged £75 for every unclaimed trolley and the trolleys will be disposed of by the council.
Stewart Turner, service manager for Trolleywise, said: “Our mutual concern for the local environment and proper recovery of trolleys has helped us to implement workable solutions with local authorities to reduce issues with trolley abandonment and work towards a cleaner safer community environment.”
Any residents wishing to report abandoned trolleys in their neighbourhood can report them for free using the number 0800 3161241.