Islanders asked to dispose of waste correctly

People disposing of household waste incorrectly in St Peter Port is "prolific", local constables say.

Constable Diane Mitchell said the Douzaine office received between five and 10 complaints about rubbish left in the streets every week.

Mitchell said she had received complaints from traders in the area who said residents were putting their food waste and rubbish bags into public bins.

The Douzaine of St Peter Port employs staff to empty public bins in the parish every day and Guernsey Waste is responsible for collecting household waste once a week.

The St Peter Port Douzaine has put signs up across the town to discourage the issue

Households in the island use "pay-as-you-throw" stickers on black bags of non-recyclable waste to cover disposal costs.

A £3.38 sticker is needed for a 90l bag, and a £1.88 sticker for a 50l bag.

Mitchell said she thought one of the reasons the bins were full was because people may be trying to avoid the charges.

"It is prolific. We get five to 10 phone calls a week with regards to inappropriate disposal of waste," she said.

Constable Diane Mitchell says she wants residents to be proud of their town

"Whether it's to do with people trying to avoid the charges or seagulls attacking the bags, we don't know."

Mitchell said she did not think the parish should change its waste disposal system, but she wanted to encourage more personal responsibility among residents.

"When you go somewhere that's messy, you don't get a good feeling," she said.

"We want to foster a sense of pride here so people want to come into town."

Ben Fiore, a shop owner, has started moving the rubbish himself

Photographer Ben Fiore owns a shop in the Arcade and said he picked up rubbish from the street caused by seagulls which would peck open household black bags left beside public bins.

"I don't think it gives Guernsey the best look," he said.

"We have cruise ships sometimes arriving in the morning before the shops have opened and the streets are covered in litter."

He said he "has no choice" but to lift it himself.

"It's communal spirit - I'll do it for Guernsey to look good."

Mill Street traders asked the Douzaine to place a sign in their street to remind residents not to leave their food waste in public bins.

Mitchell said constables were "considering possible solutions" to the issue.

She suggested larger bins could be installed in town where residents could put 50p in a slot to put their rubbish inside.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence in Guernsey which could lead to prosecution and substantial fines.