PLASTIC pollution spewing from an Oxford shop's back yard has left one neighbour worried about the effects it may have on the environment.

Rob McNeil, an employee at Oxford University, first noticed rubbish gathering behind home and décor store Dunelm, on Botley Road, when he was walking his dog in the mornings.

Overflowing bins and plastic waste - including packaging from the Dunelm café - had subsequently blown into neighbouring Hinksey Stream.

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Mr McNeil said: "Dunelm’s yard backs onto a field and when the wind blows the litter and plastic blows into the brambles and then later into the stream.

"It’s revolting to look at and very bad for the environment especially as there is a huge emphasis at the moment on plastic pollution.

"The stream was overflowing with plastic and it shows a general lack of respect for the local impacts of this filth."

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When the Oxford Mail approached the store, a member of staff said they were not aware of the problem but that they would investigate.

Mr McNeil said this was ‘not good enough’ and said he had complained to the store in the past as he had seen rubbish accumulating for years.

The area behind Dunelm is a popular spot for dog walkers and he said it has not only made the area look unattractive but harmful for animals.

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He said: “The stream is an important habitat for local wildlife. The brambles along the wall are also filled with this detritus, so there is a reasonable expectation that even if they clear up, the existing build-up will continue to get blown into the local environment for years to come.

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"This has been happening too often and the fact that I complained to them before and nothing has been done, means that they just don’t care."

Dunelm has now said there was a problem with its waste disposal and has apologised and cleared up the litter.

A spokesperson said: “We were sorry to hear of a temporary issue with our waste disposal at our Botley store. This issue was addressed immediately, and we have put processes in place to ensure this does not happen again.

“We care about the communities we serve and apologise to residents for any issues caused.”

Behind the yard is Oatlands Road Recreation Ground which Mr McNeil says is a popular place for people to walk their dogs.

He said plastic waste that had blown into the stream had surrounded frogspawn.

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The 45-year-old says the stream is an important habitat for local wildlife and feeds into Bulstake stream and the River Thames.

Mr McNeil said: “Dunelm needs to clean up not only its yard, but the stream and the local area too.”

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects in the environment that affects wildlife and their habitats as well as humans.

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The Government has recently stepped up ways to reduce plastic pollution including the ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and plans to ban the distribution and sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.