McDonald's and Starbucks 'should contribute' to litter cleaning in Salford Quays

There are calls for action against litter.

McDonald’s and Starbucks should pay towards tackling litter problems in Salford Quays, a councillor has said.

Coun Jonathan Moore, a Lib Dem, said wrappers and packaging from the chains are ending up on the streets and blowing in the waterways.

The companies have a site each based off Trafford Road next to Salford Quays tram stop.

“The litter problem generally increased significantly after McDonald's opened, and of course you can identify McDonald's because it's all branded,” Coun Moore said.

"It isn't actually just McDonald's either, there is also an increase in litter from the Starbucks which is adjacent to McDonald's.

"Some of that litter then just blows around in the wind and it ends up in the water.”

Coun Moore added that rubbish in the water is cleared by boat, which Salford council said is arranged by its own property team.

Campaigners and volunteers in the Quays also head out about once a month to pick litter left on the streets.

The Salford Quays councillor said companies who are part of the issue should contribute to fixing it, such as by offering a sum to the council to be used for tackling litter.

He said this money could help to employ someone to be out and about litter picking in the neighbourhood every day.

"The more broader issue of the stuff that's still on the land that anybody could pick up, absolutely, they should be contributing to that, because unless they send a team of people out every day, covering quite a large area, which clearly they are not, then somebody else has to do it."

However, he acknowledged that part of the issue is down to people throwing their rubbish on the floor rather than using bins.

Coun Barbara Bentham, lead member for neighbourhoods, environment and community safety at Salford council, said: “The city mayor’s manifesto includes a priority to combat littering across the city."Our Environmental Services team have been engaging with partner agencies and businesses including McDonald's and other restaurants, who are legally obliged to have litter plans in place."Dealing with litter is an ongoing challenge but we are looking at further preventative measures, whilst putting together a plan, in conjunction with our communities and volunteers to address problem areas and ensure that Salford is cleaner, safer, and greener for our residents.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “At McDonald’s we strive to be a good neighbour in the communities we serve.

"We take our responsibility around litter very seriously, which is why for over 40 years, McDonald’s restaurant teams have carried out daily litter patrols in their local communities, collecting all litter not just McDonald’s branded packaging.

"As part of this ongoing commitment, our Salford Quays team, along with five other local restaurants, recently took part in a Keep Britain Tidy ‘Love Where You Live’ event in the surrounding area.

"We plan to work with the local Salford council, to identify any litter hot spots surrounding the restaurant, which we will look to include in our litter patrols wherever possible.”

Starbucks was approached for comment.