Sir — We agree completely with councillor Tanner (Letters, October 3). It is much better not to drop litter in the first instance than to have others spend time picking it up. OxClean's preventative campaigns focus on 'on the go' eating and drinking, the dropping of cigarette butts, and on flytipping, and are aimed at changing behaviour.

Central to the first campaign is the drawing up of a voluntary code of practice for retailers of takeaway food and drink, and the development of a roundel sticker 'Don't Drop It!' to be available to businesses, groups and individuals.

The three campaigns are backed by our schools' programme whereby all Oxford schools are visited termly and certificates awarded to primary schools showing good improvement, high standard etc.

There is a shield, gifted and presented by Sir Hugo Brunner, for the 'best' secondary school.

There will be another Spring Clean on March 6 and 7, 2009, following the success of Spring Clean 2008; again we will be working in partnership with the city council. Our long-term aim, of which I think councillor Tanner would approve, is to educate, so that Spring Cleans are no longer required. For details of OxClean activities please see oxclean.org.uk

Liz Storrar, Chairman, OxClean (part of Oxford Civic Society)