As a resident of West Lothian, I am personally affected by the issue at hand. My brown bin is 95% of the time filled with leaves from Council and Housing Association land. Despite my numerous requests for both parties to maintain their land and associated waste, in line with statutory obligations, they have refused to comply and demonstrated intentional negligence.

Brown bins are not just containers; they play a crucial role in maintaining neighbourhood cleanliness. However, West Lothian Council's proposal to charge a fee for brown bin collection threatens this very essence of community hygiene.

According to Keep Britain Tidy, an environmental charity organisation, nearly 30% of people admit that they would not pick up litter if there was no bin nearby (Keep Britain Tidy Report 2018). This statistic underscores the importance of readily available and accessible waste disposal options like brown bins.

The proposed fee could discourage residents from using these bins properly or at all - leading to an increase in littering and decline in community cleanliness. We cannot let this happen.

We call on the West Lothian Council to reconsider their decision and mandate free uplifts for all brown bins across our region. It is not just about maintaining cleanliness; it's about preserving our sense of community pride as well. Sign this petition today if you believe that clean communities should be a right, not a privilege!