It’s no secret that Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle’s cultural and creative quarter, has seen a startling increase in litter.
A growing outdoor culture has resulted in more rubbish lining the streets, as people opt to socialise outside due to Covid restrictions.
Although some rules are relaxed, warmer weather and limited venue capacity will mean visitors continue to spend time outside.
But now businesses and local residents have come together to take the matter into their own hands to help reduce Ouseburn’s litter problem.
Businesses across the Valley have been overwhelmed by visitors’ waste, even facing paying for litter collections during pandemic-induced closures.
YogaTherapies, based in Byson Court on Portland Road, has taken steps to ensure they are doing everything they can and have invested in an additional litter bin that is accessible to any passers-by.
Businesses pay for litter collections, but the strain on public bins is high and it’s common to find takeaway food cartons and empty drinks cans piled around bins and seating areas.
“When we moved into our new premises in Ouseburn, we knew we had found our forever home”, says Chris Jackson, director at YogaTherapies.
“A big part of that for us was taking responsibility for the wellbeing of the area and ensuring that we really were doing our part to maintain and protect the balance of beautiful nature and quirky architecture.”
Supporters of the #KeepOuseburnTidy campaign urge visitors to be conscientious, encouraging them to take their litter home whenever possible.
Local residents selflessly have been picking up visitors' litter, while asking authorities to consider providing additional litter bins to help alleviate the problem.
Martin Wintermeyer, who has lived in the Malings housing development for two years, said: “I have always been really impressed with the community feel and how the residents are keen to work to make the Ouseburn Valley a vibrant and lovely place to live, work and play.
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“The Malings Environment Team are out every weekend picking up litter and moving fly-tipping to make it easier for the council to remove. It is a real 'community effort'.
“Whilst we are very happy to get out and pick up other people's detritus it would be far better if people could take their own rubbish home with them.
"If there were more bins, especially those able to take recycling versus rubbish, it would lead to a much more lovely valley."
The team are sponsored by the Tyne Bar, The Cluny, The Cumberland Arms and The Kiln, along with Morrisons and the Ouseburn Trust who keep them equipped with bin bags and pickers.
Ouseburn Ward Councillor Gareth Kane recognises the litter issues but believes the core of the problem is beyond just careless individuals.
She said: "Litter is a blight on our green spaces like the Ouseburn Valley, not just aesthetically, but being in a river valley, litter has a good chance of ending up contributing to the global ocean plastics problem.
“It has been exacerbated by the pandemic as more food and drink is being served in single-use containers.
“I've been very impressed with efforts such as the Plastic-free Ouseburn project and the Ouseburn Trust's Community Litter Picks trying to address the litter problem locally, but we also need more effort by packaging producers to reduce single-use items at source."
The Ouseburn Trust is urging Newcastle City Council, local businesses, residents, and visitors to back the #KeepOuseburnTidy campaign to help protect one of Newcastle’s most popular areas.
