HTS and Harlow Council scoop international environmental award
Communities / Thu 19th Sep 2024 at 07:31am
HTS and Harlow Council have been named collectively as one of the winners of the International Green Apple Environment Awards 2024.
The award recognises the work that both HTS and the Council have undertaken in partnership to improve the environment through the management of litter and engagement with the community.
Much hard work has gone into attaining this award, with HTS and the council working to improve the visibility of the town’s litter bins, invest in new ones and better maintain them to reduce litter. Innovative solutions including the use of QR codes on bins for reporting ones which need emptying and geographic information systems to map their locations and empty full bins more frequently, has led to Harlow being among the top places in the country for the least amount of litter as part of a Keep Britain Tidy audit back in May 2024. Contributing to the achievement has been the work to overhaul the way that streets are cleaned across the town.
In addition, community engagement work has been of huge importance; both the council and HTS have worked closely with the local ‘Wombles’, a group of volunteers who regularly carry out litter picks, as well as other community groups, to provide equipment, education and support to further reduce litter across Harlow, encourage recycling and protect the environment.
David Morrissey, Managing Director of HTS Group commented:
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and innovative spirit of the HTS teams and Harlow Council alongside the invaluable support from volunteers in our community. Together, we have not only enhanced the cleanliness and sustainability of our town but also set a benchmark for environmental stewardship. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success.”
Commenting on the award, councillor Nicky Purse, cabinet portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said:
“I am immensely proud of every single member of staff within the both the environment teams as well as The Wombles and groups of volunteers for everything they do to help keep Harlow clean and tidy. It truly is a team effort to keep litter off our streets in Harlow.
“To be recognised by an international awards organisation – in fact the biggest environmental awards campaign in the world – is a major achievement and really shines a positive spotlight on the partnership work between HTS, the Council and residents. We will continue to work hard to improve the way we keep Harlow clean as part of our missions to renew our neighbourhoods and deliver high-performing council services.”
The award will be given out in November at a ceremony at The Orangery at Kensington Palace.
David Forman
2024-09-19 08:29:19
It shows how our Conservative council have vastly improved the look of the town. You only have to travel to Stevenage to see how messy a town looks under Labour control.
No
2024-09-19 08:36:52
Are you joking the place is a mess not sure what they have done.
Brenda
2024-09-19 10:48:00
Mr No, The fault lies with those that cannot be bothered to put their rubbish In a bin instead of dumping rubbish everywhere. Sadly some ppl have no pride or thought to how or where they dispose of their unwanted rubbish. It's easy to blame those that have the job of cleaning it up. You could start by blaming those that create it!! If ppl were more mindful and had a, bit more pride in this town then it would be a much better environment for all. It's an endless task clearing up after those that create the mess. Sadly it seems that some ppl need to be Re-educated as to how put their rubbish in a bin.
David
2024-09-19 11:05:26
The Wombles of Potter St do a wonderful job of keeping the area litter free.
Tony
2024-09-19 11:16:18
You tell them Brenda the trouble is we are a frow away society people just think it is someone else's job to clean up after them go to the pictures or Theatre people leave there rubbish behind if there is not a bin to put your rubbish in take it home and put in your own bin
Sodthisforalark
2024-09-19 11:35:26
Bring back public information films, that's what I say! Shame people are lazy. Saying that, I've written to the council three times now to get a public bin/dog poop bin as so many people in my neck of the woods just throw it on the ground or hang on trees and nobody bothers replying.
Brenda
2024-09-19 11:53:03
It's Not Rocket science. But what gets me is the fact that ppl are so quick to moan about the ppl who clean up after those that make the mess. In china children are educated from the time they first start school about being respectful to their enviroment and to ppl around them. They do not have cleaners in the schools the pupils from a young age clean the school. I Honestly believe that educating children as soon as they start school with regards respectfulnesd to others and regards the environment is important. We need more life skills put into schools.
Gary
2024-09-19 12:25:41
Multiple parties running Harlow council have had a drain pumping out raw sewage and used sanitary products for 25+ years every time we get substantial rain. That's not good for the environment. Take a walk down the cycle path next to Tanys Dell school and you'll see the damage it's caused over 2 decades. Doesn't matter if you vote Labour, Conservative, Reform or Green. Nothing gets fixed.
Ratboy
2024-09-19 14:29:18
Personally if I see anyone throwing their rubbish away I will call them out if I think they are fair game.The dirty "tossers" of Harlow need to get it into their selfish brains that it is not a good idea to muck up the environment for everyone else.Harlow council please note that its also a good idea to pick up litter prior to mowing so that we do not get "shreddies" everywhere.Of course none of this would be neccessary if people just had some respect for their environment which obviously they dont.
Gary Scott
2024-09-19 14:47:21
They obviously didn't bring them to Nicholls tower or any of the other tiwers
Susan Mcferran
2024-09-19 15:08:47
Great news, but the actual members of the refuse teams news to clear up after they have emptied bins, this then will stop unnecessary rubbish.
BRYAN ROWLEY
2024-09-19 15:17:12
I work for hts I litter pick the town park 3 times a week with two other guys And I do church langy 2 times .I have two daughters when we go for walks my girls always put rubbish in bin.teach them young.
jarrett
2024-09-19 18:00:04
Gary, contact Thames Water as they may well be responsible for foul waste water.
Stuart
2024-09-19 20:05:46
One of the worst littering problems is caused by the drive thru restaurants. Yes, they do litter pick around their car park area where they’re situation, but it’s the rubbish that’s thrown from the vehicles much further afield that’s the problem. One solution that has been suggested that the takeaway food packaging is stamped with vehicles reg number, so the offending drivers can be brought to task, if their discarded food packages from their vehicles is later discovered dumped, it is a form of fly tipping. On another point, the Council could do a lot better if they were to take legal action against vehicle owners who park on or drive across the soft grass verges especially along Southern Way. A few warning notices wouldn’t go amiss either.
Gary
2024-09-20 06:04:40
Jarrett thank you for the suggestion. The council have "fixed" the problem multiple times. I'm surprised the school does not kick up more fuss.
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