Are event organisers contributing to litter issues?

Open Newtown reminds local event organisers to pick up their waste after fireworks casings and plastic left behind after local events.

At the upcoming Services Committee meeting on 13th January, town councillors are set to discuss a report from Open Newtown highlighting concerns about litter left behind by event organizers.

Open Newtown, a social enterprise responsible for managing Newtown’s 130-acre green spaces, has flagged several incidents in 2024 where organisers failed to comply with waste management regulations, despite clear guidelines being in place.

The report states:

"We’ve found it necessary to remind various event organisers that it’s their legal duty to adhere to waste management regulations that came into effect on 6th April 2024, which is written into our booking form commitments for free use of our green spaces for events."

"At a number of events we found significant cardboard and plastic left behind, along with fireworks casings and sites left without completing a litter pick of the public area."

"In response all events organisers positively engaged and cleared away waste promptly."