ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A massive clean-up operation has followed last weekend's Notting Hill Carnival when more than a million people took to the area's streets for the two-day event.

Council staff were seen out in force overnight clearing up the mountains of debris left behind by partygoers. Wine and beer bottles, takeaway cartons and carved-out pineapples sprouting cocktail umbrellas were among the items littering the streets.

More than 200 cleaners supported by 30 refuse trucks and sweepers were deployed to tackle the task. The combined weight of the rubbish was estimated to be equivalent to that of 25 London buses.

"The incredible work of the teams through the night meant that 300 tonnes of carnival litter was removed from our streets - mostly with the aid of shovels and sheer hard work," said Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for environment for Kensington and Chelsea Council. "None of the waste goes to landfill and we recycle all we can."

Around 100 tonnes of rubbish collected will be taken to a facility that converts waste into energy.

Notting Hill Carnival - Europe's largest street party - celebrated its 53rd year this year with record temperatures reaching 33C on both days.