Keeping our streets clean and free of litter is a tough job, even at the best of times - and it's got a lot harder since the pandemic began. Lockdowns have generally meant fewer people out and about in town and city centres, but, inevitably, waste and recycling collections have suffered disruption. In some places, the problem of litter has switched to parks and other open spaces, as Covid-19 rules transformed the way people socialise. During spells of warm weather, for example, thousands of people have flocked to seafront locations, such as Brighton, leaving behind mountains of rubbish. Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy fears a littering epidemic is on the way as the UK moves forward after restrictions are lifted. A spokesperson says: When previous lockdowns eased1- particularly the first lockdown - there was a dramatic increase in littering, largely because the only places people could go were parks and beaches, as everything else was shut. Local authorities reported having to spend up to £150K extra last year managing the excess litter, something they should not have to do when resources are already so stretched. We're anticipating increased litter levels again, as millions of us will be holidaying in the UK with foreign travel severely limited.' What is being done to meet that challenge, especially on the technological front?
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