Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater are calling for everyone to make litter history – by joining a Spring Clean challenge from 21 March – 21 April.
Lorna Slater joined the two charities at a launch event yesterday (Friday, 18 March), at the iconic Blackness Castle in Linlithgow, kicking off four weeks of litter-busting action to help clean up Scotland.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to reduce litter and help protect our neighbourhoods and heritage. But Keep Scotland Beautiful’s research has revealed that 88% of Scots agree that litter is a problem across Scotland – including at some of Scotland’s most beautiful sites. And 70% are concerned about litter in their area.
The environmental charity has been working with Historic Environment Scotland to explore ways to reduce litter at visitor attractions and areas of national significance.
If you feel frustrated about litter in your community or the places you visit, you can do something about it. Spring Clean Scotland is the perfect opportunity to make a difference by picking up litter on your local beach, streets, parks and beyond. Get involved and help make the places we care about cleaner and safer for people and animals.
Every action, however small, makes a difference. Just half an hour of picking up litter and disposing of it safely can help an area look cleaner and feel safer, and evidence shows it also prevents more litter being dropped.
Why not organise a litter pick with friends, family, workmates or your wider community? Or find one to join in with on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Clean Up Scotland map.
We know young people feel strongly about caring for the environment and want to do something about the harmful effects of litter.
Your school can get involved too. As part of Spring Clean, there is a Live Lesson open to all schools across the UK.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said, “No one should have their visit to one of Scotland’s heritage sites ruined by litter and mess. To help make sure our historic locations are in good condition for others, please put your rubbish in the bin, recycling it where possible.
“We are consulting on proposals to help rid Scotland of the problem of litter and flytipping. I would encourage everyone to have their say and to take part in a Spring Clean near you.”
Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Barry Fisher, said: “Across Scotland we have seen a steady increase in the amount of litter over the past decade. While this is a real challenge, we are heartened by the incredible work of litter picking heroes up and down the country.
“Our communities already play a vital role in taking action to tackle litter. Across Scotland we have seen lots of people giving up their time to clean up their local areas despite the challenges of the last two years.
“We are delighted to have launched our challenge with Historic Environment Scotland at a beautiful part of our heritage, Blackness Castle, to help highlight this issue. We would love as many people as possible to join in, make litter a thing of the past, and give Scotland a spring clean this March and April.
“For those that wish to take further action, the Scottish Government is currently consulting on a revised National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and you can still respond until the end of March and have #YourSayOnLitter.”
Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at Historic Environment Scotland, said, “We’re delighted to help launch this year’s Spring Clean at Blackness Castle. Litter can have a big negative impact on historic sites such as this, limiting access and enjoyment for visitors, as well as posing issues of health and safety.
“However, we believe our historic environment is also part of the solution to tackling litter. We want our historic sites to inspire positive behaviour change, connecting communities with their local area and restoring pride in our local environments.
“We hope people across Scotland will be inspired to get involved and help us make litter history.”
Inspired to take positive action? Learn more and sign up to join here:
www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean.
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