A LITTER-picking campaigner has urged Ward Green residents to keep streets clean after a neighbour emptied their bin onto his garden.
Zubair Warraich, of Holgate Mount, has been campaigning for cleaner streets across the borough after he noticed a significant increase in the amount of fly-tipping and litter in the last five years.
The 49-year-old, who had been spreading his message to his neighbours, was shocked to find that a bin had been emptied onto his front garden by one of his neighbours.
Zubair has since used this to his advantage by campaigning for harsher action taken to those who fly-tip and drop litter.
He said: “I have been involved in litter-picking and looking after my area since I moved here.
“I am an active member of the Love Where You Live initiative in Ward Green and actively get involved in making my street a better place.
“I was devastated to find the mess made on my garden. There was also a sign left with expletives written on it which my family could see.
“This was highly upsetting but if anything, it spurred me on to raise awareness even more.”
Zubair believes that the amount of waste left on Barnsley streets has increased dramatically and hopes people step-up for their area.
“Barnsley is a beautiful town and we need to look after it. For people to go out of their way to drop waste is hurtful.
“If people mess up our streets, it has a negative impact on the next generation who will have to deal with the mess.
“It has a bad impact on our mental health and makes our area look unappealing. It’s frustrating as it’s just so simple to do your bit.
“I’ve contacted Barnsley Council and hope something can be done about this. People can’t get away with dropping litter when they’re two seconds away from a bin.
“I hope what has happened will make people realise how important these issues are and make Barnsley a cleaner place.”