Woolwich Common Estate residents create new murals to deter fly-tipping
The Royal Borough of Greenwich and DG cities, the council’s urban innovation company, have worked together to raise awareness of and prevent fly-tipping on the Woolwich Common Estate, in a mission to ensure the neighbourhood can be vibrant, safe and attractive.
Families on the Woolwich Common Estate have produced artwork, in collaboration with local arts group Taru Arts, from recycled materials (such as food wrappers and plastic bottles), to display around the estate.
This is part of a project which aims to reduce fly-tipping and littering, encourage recycling and help communities start conversations on how to keep their neighbourhood tidy.
A council spokesperson said: “This project is a fantastic chance for families and children to work together to help the planet and improve community wellbeing on the estate.
These murals are a reminder to residents and visitors to take care of the estate, reduce excessive waste and create a better environment for each other and for future generations. This is part of the council’s mission to play an active role in tackling the climate crisis."
Fly-tipping is an ongoing problem on the Woolwich Common Estate. Residents have reported that it has a negative effect on their wellbeing and fly-tipping is a health and safety issue, attracting rodents and increasing the risk of fires.
Fly-tipping is also costly - it costs the council over £1 million a year, taking a lot of time and resources.
As part of the ongoing work to reduce fly-tipping on the Woolwich Common Estate, CCTV cameras have been installed in fly-tipping hotspots, and information on how to correctly dispose of bulky waste has been shared with residents.
You can see the murals installed on the Woolwich Common Estate from November 2024 to March 2025.