Bag It, Bin It 2024 to 2025
Continuing the Fight Against Dog Fouling in Blackpool!
Bag It, Bin It Campaign – 2024/2025 Final Report
As we conclude the second year of the Bag It, Bin It campaign, we reflect on the significant progress made. The team’s continued dedication and focus on tackling dog fouling especially during the darker months, has led to meaningful engagement and increased awareness.
Key achievements include:
- 502 stencils and 108 posters deployed to remind residents of their responsibilities.
- A notable increase in engagement with over 500 cards distributed and this year 101 cards uploaded online—a great increase from the previous year.
- The issuing of 3 warnings, highlights our focus on education and prevention.
Although the total penalties issued remained low, our emphasis has been on fostering a culture of responsibility, making real strides in changing behavior. While there is still work to be done, the campaign’s impact is clear, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the future.
Thank you to all those who supported and participated in making our streets cleaner and safer. The Bag It, Bin It campaign may have concluded until this October, but its message remains as relevant as ever. Let’s continue working together to reduce dog fouling and to ‘Keep Blackpool Tidy’.
“Do the Right Thing and Bag It, Bin It”
In Partnership with Blackpool Council, we are relaunched the “Bag It, Bin It” campaign for 2024 – affirming the joint commitment to promoting responsible dog ownership and tackling the persistent issue of dog fouling across Blackpool.
2023 Campaign Success – The 2023 “Bag It, Bin It” campaign achieved notable success in raising awareness and promoting responsible behaviors. Through direct engagement, Enveco’s staff interacted with 584 dog walkers over the campaign period, discovering that 99.32% had the means to pick up or were witnessed doing so. Additionally, the application of over 150 street stencils was applied in hotspots and resident-requested areas, reinforcing the message to dog walkers to “Bag It, Bin It”. While only three Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued for failing to remove dog fouling, this low figure highlights the challenge of witnessing offenses but also reflects increased compliance amongst the dominant percentage of responsible dog walkers.
Enforcement & Corporate Efforts: Strengthening Responsibility – This year, the focus on enforcement is even sharper. Enveco NW staff, in collaboration with Blackpool Council, will continue to issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices to any dog walkers witnessed not picking up their dog’s mess. Not having the means to pick up is also an offense, and officers will be issuing formal warnings to those without the appropriate equipment. Warnings are recorded for 2 years, should a dog walker be found not to have the ‘means to pick up’ on a subsequent occasion a fixed penalty notice will be issued.
Community Engagement: Encouraging Participation – With the darker nights and colder months upon us, many dog walkers may choose to exercise their pets closer to home. This campaign urges all residents to remain diligent and to either use the nearest litter bin or take dog waste home if necessary.
To maintain a visible reminder, Bag It, Bin It street stencils will be sprayed across Blackpool in key areas, including those requested by residents. These temporary stencils last between three and six months, providing a clear and lasting message. Residents can request a stencil to be placed outside their properties by completing the online form, helping to strengthen local accountability and pride in maintaining clean streets.
As the clocks go back on 29th October and the nights grow longer, all dog owners should stay vigilant and “Do the Right Thing”.
Do the Right Thing Competition – Is back, this initiative rewards responsible dog walkers who are witnessed picking up after their pets or who demonstrate they have the means to do so. Prizes include a month’s supply of dog food and other fantastic rewards.
Deputy Mayor, and Chair of Enveco’s Board, Councillor Major Adrian Hoyle said:
“We’re proud to see the continued success of the ‘Bag It, Bin It’ campaign, which demonstrates the power of community and corporate collaboration in creating a cleaner, more responsible Blackpool. At Enveco, we believe that small, everyday actions can lead to meaningful change, and we are committed to working with residents, businesses, and the Council to keep our streets safe and pleasant for everyone.”
2024/2025 Bag It Bin It competition winners:
To kick off this year’s competition, the winner for November is Noodle. Mum, Lindsey, was seen by a member of our N.E.A.T team with the necessary tools to pick up litter. Lindsey shared that she has noticed an improvement since the campaign’s launch. Additionally, her neighbor requested Bag It, Bin It stencils on their street, which were quickly applied. They are both very impressed with the exceptional customer service they have received.
The winner of December’s competition is Jennifer Guy, who was seen picking up near Anchorsholme Park by a member of our N.E.A.T team. Jennifer, accompanied by her two lovely Pomeranians, came to collect her prize and had the opportunity to meet Enveco’s Finance Director, Paul Whitehead. She emphasized the importance of cleaning up after dogs and spoke about the positive impact of the Campaign and the Bag It Bin It stencils.
2023/2024 Bag It, Bin It competition winners:
November’s winner was Amy Butlin-Evans of Bispham, whose dad, Rodger was walking her Cavapoochon, Hudson near the pond trail and was witnessed having the means to pick up. Amy, Hudson, and Rodger were invited to the Depot to meet Enveco’s Operations Director, Jez Evans, and Enveco’s Street cleaning manager, Craig Burns. The Bispham residents expressed their gratitude for the campaign and were over the moon with the work Enveco does to Keep Blackpool Tidy.
December’s winner was Bernadette Jardine of South Shore with her beautiful 6-month Cavapoo called Coco. The pair were witnessed having the means to pick up near the Blackpool airport. Bernadette was pleased to see a focus on such a key issue and said it’s hard to understand why some walkers pick up but then leave the dog foul in the bag on the floor. Like the previous winners, Bernadette and Coco were invited to meet with Jez Evans and stated it was nice to see a company doing something about the issue whilst praising those who do the right thing. The competition allowed the winner to have a month’s supply of dog food up to a certain amount. However, Bernadette decided to donate her winnings to the RSPCA for animals in need.
January’s winner was Jordan Owen of Central Blackpool. Jordan’s 13-year-old Jack Russell cross, Alfie, was being walked by his father, Taff. The pair were spotted by one of Enveco’s street cleansing team while Taff was picking up after Alfie. Taff was invited to the Depot to meet with Enveco’s Deputy Managing Director, Paul Whitehead, to collect Alfie’s prize. Taff was pleased to see a company doing something about the dog Fouling issue within the town and stated he doesn’t understand why people don’t pick up after their dogs.