Margareten launches campaign to tackle rubbish

Vienna’s Margareten district is launching a campaign to address litter and illegally dumped bulky waste, ORF reports. The district plans to put up around 100 signs with humorous slogans in the coming weeks.

At Leopold Rister Park, near Matzleinsdorfer Platz and surrounded by municipal housing, complaints include washing machines and mattresses left outside buildings, as well as cigarette packets and nappies discarded on the playground.

District head Michael Luxenberger of the Greens said complaints had recently increased and residents were frustrated. Slogans on the signs will include “Clean is fun” and “Cigarette butts happen, a bin helps”. Similar campaigns have taken place in Ottakring and Floridsdorf.

The district also plans to invite school classes, clubs and residents to join the citywide spring clean-up campaign “Vienna cleans up”. Luxenberger said the aim is to turn residents’ frustration into a shared neighbourhood effort and strengthen community ties.