I recall many years ago volunteering for a litter pick at Rickmansworth and about a mile north, writes Bill Ridgeway.
Had to walk back along the towing path to Rickmansworth to get home and couldn't fail to notice that in the short time which had elapsed more rubbish had been deposited on and around the towpath.
I vowed then never to litter pick again.
Bringing the story up to date it is a regular occurrence for the council to do a deep clean of my road (north-west London suburbia) for rubbish (mainly from a nearby fast food outlet but also bits of furniture) to be dumped on the pavement and the kerb.
It would be so easy for these people to put their rubbish in a nearby litter bin or take it home but it is a very sad reflection on society that many (not all) seem to take the view 'I don't see it so it doesn't exist' and that 'it's for someone else to pick up.'
It would be good if people could be trained to dispose of rubbish responsibly. It would improve the environment and stretched financial resources. However that magic wand hasn't been invented yet!