Litterbugs turning us into the dustbin of Europe

I love my city of Wolverhampton but I am becoming more and more concerned about the large quantities of litter on its pavements.

I know that the local authority are trying hard to make people aware of the problem but I am also aware that if I try to walk the pavements I will not get far before I encounter discarded tin cans, empty crisp packets, dumped cigarette butts and pats of chewing gum – and these are just a few of the delights that greet me here, there and everywhere.

Have we become so used to living in a city where the streets are open-air storehouses for every type of unwanted litter that we no longer notice these unwanted elements of modern-day living? Are we so hardened to the sight of the street detritus that it no longer violates our sense of propriety? It hasn't always been like this. As I was growing up in the 1940s and 50s, parents instilled into children the selfishness of dropping our rubbish for others to clean up. I remember that adults would tell children off if they were thoughtless enough to drop even a sweet wrapper.

Nowadays we are quick to warn our children about the dangers they might meet from strangers but we seem less interested in teaching them their own responsibilities.

Our local authority provides us with litter bins but do we use them? I cannot understand why the bins are not used more often, and why people are so selfish that they still throw their rubbish in the street.

It would seem obvious from studying street litter that much of the problem originated with the onset of "fast food" outlets. Yet the many burger bars, kebab shops and mobile takeaways have never been held to account. Is it not possible that, before planning permission is granted for such outlets, a condition is placed on the owners to keep streets clear of their rubbish?

They should be obliged to send out staff to pick up discarded packaging or receive a bill for the cleaning up by an outside agency. Then again, why do we not ban the non-biodegradable plastic bags like they do in Italy? Walk through Bilston on any market day, and you will see plastic and paper bags flying through the air like demented kites.

If countries like France, Germany and Italy can offer us clean and tidy streets, why should we lag behind? Do we really want to be called the dustbin of Europe? Do we really want to become a breeding ground for rats and other vermin? I am sure we do not, so let us all become bothered about litter, and in the words of our city council "Bin It!"

Mrs Jean Girdler, Chair, Wolverhampton sub-committee, Wolverhampton Over 50's Forum.