Missed a couple of days on here but this is in relation to the easing of lockdown and litter.There were some photos of litter at beaches and popular locations posted on here.
I listen to Five Live phone-in each morning (9.00am) and quite a few years ago I recall there was a phone-in on litter and I heard a caller say exactly that as mentioned by broc... ie. It keeps council workers in a job.
Here's a December 2019 article on litter
https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/...blem-why-is-it-so-bad-and-how-to-take-action/
I thought it was mainly a UK problem (within Europe) but it's not according to this article . We've visited France a few times and I didn't see litter there. Austria, Germany both good re litter.
https://amberol.co.uk/community/post/2016-06-22/litter-a-problem-for-europe
I hate to see litter. I belonged to a local group that litter-picked once a month around a local lake area. I even made a grappling iron on a rope and got quite accomplished at hooking bikes, kiddies scoot-alongs (?) and other large items from the water. I saw a family walking along the footpath a year or so ago. Mom-Dad a teenager (14) and two under 10's..all eating mini chocolate spongy cakes from a large box of them that they'd just bought. How did I know that ? Mom threw the empty box onto the footpath. I picked it up and took it home..As pointed out above litter bins are few and far between, I assume because the council would have to pay to have them emptied. Best not to confront these people you just don't know who you are dealing with so these people who come on Five Live saying they did that and took the litter to the offenders are taking a risk.
Re the council. I recall asking a council employee who was emptying city centre street bins why he was leaving the excess litter that had spilt onto the footpath. Answer ? "The street cleaners pick that up "
Do infant/Juniorschools tell children about litter ? That would be a good place to start.