Thurrock Council is set to initiate a process for formally adopting powers to charge owners of abandoned shopping trollies for their collection from public land.
If the scheme goes forward following a consultation with shops and other stakeholders, it will mean the council can start charging owners for the cost of collecting, storing and returning or disposing of trollies that have been dumped in roads, parks or on other public land in the borough.
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We routinely collect over 400 discarded shopping trollies a month and it is not right that council tax payers end up footing the bill for that activity.
"Under this scheme we would be able to charge owners for the costs associated with removing and storing their trolley and they have the option of taking the trolley back or paying for us to properly dispose of it.
"Abandoned shopping trollies are a potentially dangerous eyesore and this scheme will help encourage shops to make sure that their trollies are returned or face the costs of clearing them up if they are dumped."
As the council initiates the process to adopt the relevant powers under the Environment Protection Act 1990, consultation will take place with local retailers that provide trollies for customers, along with residents, retail industry representative bodies, the police and the Environment Agency.
If adopted the council, will also look to set-up a scheme with shops to have their trollies returned to them for a set fee for each trolley.
Photo below: abandoned shopping trolley.
