Now that more of us are spending time outside and having socially distanced picnics, why not opt for a plastic-free one? There are many easy switches you can make:

• If you’re bringing drinks, take your own reusable straws
• Instead of clingfilm or foil, try using wax wraps or reusable food containers
• Use your own metal or bamboo cutlery instead of disposable plastic cutlery
• Switch from disposable wipes to cloth wipes. All you need to do is dampen them and pop them in a small bag or container to keep them moist
• Don’t forget your reusable water bottle for cold drinks.

A further 1.9 tonnes of litter was collected from borough parks last weekend prompting a tough response from the council.

This follows a previous weekend when Recentlalmost three tonnes of litter was collected from parks.

Enforcement officers will be patrolling parks this weekend issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to anyone caught dropping litter.

Safer Basildon and the Council's Parks Team are also supporting our partners, Essex Police with Operation Oxygen.

Following reports from members of the public about antisocial behaviour in our parks and open spaces, Billericay and Wickford Community Policing Team Officers are taking part in Operation Oxygen. This includes targeted patrols to deter and disrupt behaviours such as the use of nitrous oxide canisters, possession and use of cannabis, drinking of alcohol by under 18s and the use of vehicles to causing harassment.

Those using the parks are reminded to use the bins provided. When bins are full please take waste home and dispose of it appropriately. Leaving waste next to a bin is littering and can result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN).

Barleylands Recycling Centre is open with strict social distancing measures in place to ensure the safety of the public and staff.

There is a one in, one out policy and members of the public may be asked to queue when accessing the site, which could cause delays. Staggered visits are being advised and the public are being asked to only visit if items being disposed of could cause a hazard if left at home.

Pitsea Recycling Centre, which is run by Essex County Council, is also open under similar restrictions, which are likely to result in long waiting times.

Please remember to use recycling banks responsibly by following social distancing guidelines.

Always ensure you are two metres or more away from anybody else and use these facilities at sensible times during the day. Using the recycling banks too early in the morning or late at night could disturb neighbouring residents. Leaving waste on the floor around the recycling banks could result in a fine.

If you notice a full recycling bank please report it to recycling@basildon.gov.uk

Have you downloaded the “Our Streets Basildon” waste and recycling app?

From checking your bin collection day and reporting street issues such as graffiti, to receiving notifications on changes to collection dates, this app keeps you in the loop on all things waste and recycling related.

The "Our Streets" app, which was was created in partnership with students from the University of Essex, is now also available to download from the Apple Store. To learn more on the features of the "Our Streets" app, watch our youtube video .

Download from the Apple Store

Download from the Google Play Store