THE district council is asking residents not to be wasters as it launches its new environmental campaign.

The campaign, titled “Don’t be a Waster – Reduce, Reuse, Respect” is a major new 12 month project to tackle issues such as fly tipping, waste, dog fouling, recycling and litter.

The campaign will focus on a different issue each month - the first is littering.

Cllr Luke Ives of the policy and resources committee said: “We love our district. We’re proud of it and we want to encourage pride in our towns and villages.

“It’s not just about the environmental benefits of less landfill and more recycling. This is bigger, better and wider than that. We want to bring together partners, community groups and the residents who already make a difference.

“We plan to work with a local community group on an art project to deter fly tippers. We’ll produce information packs so that parish and town councils know how we can work with them to reduce dog fouling.

“We need public support to encourage a change. We have a clear message. Fly tipping is not acceptable in the Ryedale district. Not picking up after your dog is not acceptable. Throwing rubbish from your car is not acceptable.

“With help from the public – who know how to report these incidents to us – we can encourage all our residents to feel pride in our district.”

For more information go to ryedale.gov.uk/dontbeawaster.