An annual survey by Keep Wales Tidy has shown clean streets and positive results on Anglesey in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) report forms an important part of the new Caru Cymru initiative, an inclusive movement to eradicate litter and waste nationally.

Positives highlighted in the Anglesey 2021-22 report include

• a good standard of cleanliness maintained on streets despite the additional challenges incurred from the pandemic
• the local authority achieved 100% of streets graded B and above for the fourth time since surveys began in 2007 to 2008
• just over half of Anglesey streets (55.4%) were awarded a B grade, 35.4% recorded a B+ grade and 9.2% of streets recorded an A. This year’s survey found no streets that were a C grade or lower

The most commonly found litter type this year was smoking-related (usually cigarette butts) which was found on 72.3% of surveyed streets. Drinks litter was found on a third of all streets (33.8%), followed by confectionery litter (20%) and fast-food litter (10.8%).

The pandemic has also seen the emergence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) litter. This year, Keep Wales Tidy’s surveys include new PPE categories (masks, gloves and other PPE) in the hope that data collected will help inform both local and national government and encourage appropriate action to tackle the issue.

On Anglesey, PPE litter was only found on a small number of streets (4.6%) when the survey took place in April and May.

Highways, Property and Waste Management portfolio holder, Councillor Bob Parry, welcomed the 2021 to 2022 LEAMS survey findings.

Cllr Parry said, “Overall, the LEAMS survey findings are very positive and we are pleased to see the vast majority of Anglesey residents and visitors disposing of their litter responsibly.”

“We won’t be resting on our laurels, though, and working with our street cleansing contractor, Biffa, we’ll be looking at the report’s findings and using them to help us to improve the quality of our local environment.”

With visitor numbers expected to be high over the summer, Anglesey will also be supporting Visit Wales’ Addo (Promise) campaign – which promotes caring for each other and the place we call home.

Cllr Parry added, “I’d like to thank both local residents and visitors for helping us to keep local communities clean and tidy. However, as we are expecting a very busy summer, we’ll be carefully monitoring bins on our streets and near beaches. I would encourage everyone to take their rubbish home to recycle if possible or dispose of it carefully and respectfully so that we can continue to keep our Island as clean as possible.”

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