Residents petition for action to solve the litter problem. Over 200 people signed in Barking and Dagenham.
Olivia believes local authorities must act to change things and enforce the law. She added they should pay more attention to the issue. The council responded that they have made litter action plans which target problem spots, adding supervisors visit to find improvements.
The petition calls for scheduled street cleaning and better enforcement of litter laws. Petitioners also seek improved waste management, suggesting campaigns in schools and centers and desiring more bins and public input.
Olivia started a Facebook group called “Dirty Dagenham,” where residents post photos of rubbish in the borough. The photos show everything from rubbish on pavements to abandoned mattresses and fridges. The group now has over 400 members.
According to Olivia, residents are frustrated as things worsen each month. People find it hard to keep up with the rubbish when they try to report the fly-tipping. Olivia says she sees broken glass and cans near her home.
She and her partner clean around their building. After Olivia was abused and attacked online by strangers, she started the petition in her partner’s name. She wants many signatures for the petition. She met with the council and the MP in January 2025.
Council Leader Dominic Twomey and MP Margaret Mullane attended the meeting. Olivia felt they understood the situation well. However, she claims nothing happened after the meeting. She started the petition on February 2nd as a result.
The council acknowledges that littering upsets residents greatly and states they are combating the waste issue. They attribute the problem to a small selfish group. Further, they claim street teams work to keep spaces clear, and community groups also help clean.
They aim to catch and fine fly-tippers while also educating people on waste disposal. The council says new bins might be installed, and they will check problem areas regularly. They believe these efforts will decrease littering issues.
The MP’s office acknowledges that funding was cut, and services suffered as a result. However, the MP and her team address the litter issues and are working with the council for solutions and she also organizes volunteer litter pickers too.