{"id":10306,"date":"2025-07-20T10:50:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T10:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/10306\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T10:50:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T10:50:18","slug":"town-first-on-oche-for-littering-pilot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/10306\/","title":{"rendered":"Town first on oche for littering pilot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spalding is leading the way with a pilot scheme to clear discarded cigarette butts in a campaign fronted by one of darts\u2019 biggest stars.<\/p>\n

The national Keep Britain Tidy charity says it has targeted the town for the \u2018first of its kind\u2019 initiative due to it having nearly three times the amount of litter from cigarette butts than the national average.<\/p>\n

Darts pro and Spalding League regular Scott \u2018Shaggy\u2019 Williams is heading up the campaign.<\/p>\n

\"\"*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE ***Keep Britain Tidy<\/p>\n

As well as new cigarette bins, including a talking version in the centre of town, custom-branded dartboards are being placed in pubs across the town.<\/p>\n

A spokesman for Keep Britain Tidy said: \u201cCigarette butts are the most littered item in the UK \u2013 an astonishing four out of five cigarettes smoked outdoors are disposed of incorrectly. In Spalding, where the smoking rate is more than twice the UK average, and cigarette litter on the ground is nearly three times the national figure, the town faces a unique challenge, making the need for a community-led solution critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cA recent baseline litter survey conducted by Keep Britain Tidy in Spalding identified high concentrations of cigarette litter across the town centre, predominantly outside social venues and where people tend to gather \u2013 leading to a focused effort on collaborating with local establishments, like pubs and bars.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo make an impact, the campaign is meeting smokers where they are. With a strong local darts culture, and clear links between darts and smoking (70 per cent of darts fans are more likely to smoke every day, according to YouGov), Keep Britain Tidy and the council are using the game as a tool to help solve the problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cCustom dartboards are being installed in participating pubs across the town, serving as a reminder for smokers to make sure they dispose of their \u2018darts\u2019 responsibly.<\/p>\n

\u201cA talking cigarette bin will also be installed in the town centre, celebrating good behaviour with audio messages like \u201cbullseye!\u201d when used correctly to dispose of cigarette butts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis innovative, localised initiative in Spalding could serve as a vital model for other towns facing similar challenges, demonstrating how a proactive and community-focused approach can make a significant difference in tackling the UK\u2019s most prevalent litter problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott launched the campaign at The Water\u2019s Edge pub on River Bank this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been around cigarettes for so long, especially through playing darts and it\u2019s nice to be asked to be physically involved in something to educate people,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m on at them all the time and they are getting better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t realise that cigarette butts are a form of littering.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpalding is a great town.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Keep Britain Tidy say, it\u2019s one of the worst for litter, three times worse for dropping cigarette butts than the national average.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s especially around the hospitality industry, pubs and clubs where people get most comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott clearly enjoys Spalding and especially playing in the local league saying he enjoys it more than playing to thousands in the PDC.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so much nicer to go and be able to enjoy it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s great playing with friends and family.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone in the league has been brilliant with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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