Waterloo Millennium Green: BOST invites debate on rubbish problem

Bankside Open Spaces Trust last month held a Plants not Packaging event at Waterloo Millennium Green.

Staff and volunteers carried out a waste audit and turned unwanted rubbish into a colourful tree picture. Local residents and workers helped separate their rubbish to add to the sculpture.

The event started a discussion about food waste and recycling in public spaces and is the start of a local campaign to involve more visitors, local businesses and residents in caring for this open space.

"It was good to discuss rubbish with local residents, workers and tourists," said BOST director Helen Firminger.

"It was heartening to see that when we had moved the bins away quite a lot of people took their rubbish away with them.

"Many visitors said they would welcome recycling facilities so we will look to get these in as soon as possible.

"But we do need a solution to the growing food waste in Waterloo, particularly with more local supermarkets opening."