Keep Scotland Beautiful – Page 4 – The NEN

Public attitudes on litter revealed ahead of national consultation

Scottish public see litter as a national problem

New research from environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has revealed the depth of the perceived litter problem across Scotland. 88% of survey respondents believe that litter is a problem nationally, while 70% believe it is an issue in their local area.

Worryingly 38% of respondents reported litter becoming more common, especially in urban areas over the past 12 months too.

This reflects our on the ground national litter surveys which recorded a higher number of locations with unacceptable amounts of litter than last year. We previously highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Scotland in our report ‘Time for a new approach to tackling litter’ published at the end of 2020.

The publication of ‘Scotland’s Litter Survey’ – the first comprehensive baseline assessment of public perceptions and attitudes towards litter and littering behaviour in Scotland – comes in advance of the publication of a consultation paper by the Scottish Government on a new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy before the end of the year.

The survey covered public attitudes to litter, changes in levels of litter, the wider impacts of litter and potential options for tackling litter. The outputs will be used to inform our work nationally and locally with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders to drive practical action to improve local environmental quality, reduce consumption and tackle litter across Scotland.

Other key stats highlighted by the survey include:

Food and drink packaging were perceived to be the most frequent types of litter.
The environmental impacts of litter, particularly on the natural environment and animals, top people’s concerns with financial and economical impacts a less potent concern.
Young people deemed litter to have a larger impact on the natural world than other age brackets.

Positively, there was a clear appetite from those surveyed for greater action to tackle and prevent litter in Scotland, with particular support for improving waste disposal facilities and educational campaigns.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “The findings in this report reinforce our data collected from more than 10,000 locations across Scotland which has shown an increase in litter and decline in the local environmental quality of our neighbourhoods.

“We know from those we support through our campaigns and programmes to tackle litter that the looming litter emergency is becoming closer – but we also believe that the real answer to tackling the issue lies within our communities and true collaboration.

“It is clear that people feel strongly about litter and want more done to tackle which is why I am clearly calling for people to make their voices heard on litter and contribute positively to the Scottish Government consultation over the coming months.

“Litter hasn’t stopped. But neither will we.”

littering-in-scotland-survey-2021-final-071221 Download

Reusable face coverings will help stamp out litter caused by the coronavirus pandemic

The Face It: Reuse Beats Single-Use campaign returns as evidence from Keep Scotland Beautiful discovered two face masks are found littered per one kilometre across Scotland, and new data from the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean found Covid-related litter on a third (33 percent) of surveyed Scottish beaches.

Now, with the festive season fast approaching – when more people are expected to be out-and-about seeing friends and loved ones, eating out, or going to events where face coverings will be required – the environmental bodies have joined forces again to urge people to ‘choose to reuse’, wherever possible, to mitigate waste and protect our beautiful landscapes.

Wearing a face covering or mask helps to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and reusable face coverings are the most environmentally friendly option. They help us protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our planet, by reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste being created.

But, currently, over a third (37 percent) of Scots use a disposable face covering which cannot be recycled – these should always be placed in the general waste bin after use.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that we are now getting used to living a slightly different way of life. One of these changes is the continued use of protective gear, specifically face coverings.

“It’s easy to carry a reusable face covering and using them regularly will save you money in the long run. One small act can help protect Scotland’s pristine landscapes.

“The littering of single-use face coverings represents our throwaway society fuelled by our current mode of consumption. By shopping smarter, reusing more, and wasting less, we can help protect the environment. Be safe and sustainable when you’re out and about this Christmas by investing in a good quality, reusable face covering and making them part of your daily routine. That way you’ll be protecting yourself, your community, and the planet.”

Catherine Gemmell, Scotland Conservation Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Almost all the litter our volunteers find on beach cleans demonstrates the damaging throwaway culture we’re currently living in.

“The increase in COVID-related litter on Scottish beaches is of real concern for the environment, and wildlife. We can all play our part in stopping this sort of litter reaching the beach in the first place. If you can choose to use reusables, please do so, and if you use single-use please dispose of it responsibly.

“Next year, we’d like to see this type of litter declining instead of rising. Our ocean was struggling as it was, we can’t afford to make the situation worse.”

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our surveys across Scotland have recorded more than two facemasks per one kilometre which is completely unacceptable. This Covid litter highlights our complete disregard for each other and our communities.

“ It is vital that people bin their litter and wear a reusable face mask when possible. By choosing to reuse, you are reducing your consumption, decreasing the chance of contributing to our looming litter emergency and you are helping to tackle climate change – it is a triple win for our environment.”

Reusable face coverings should be washed on the highest setting suitable for the fabric, preferably 60 degrees centigrade, after every use.

Shop-bought and homemade reusable face coverings, as well as other items (such as snoods), can all be effectively used to slow the spread of the virus. These should be at least two (preferably three) layers thick and tight to the face.

Reducing the demand for single-use face coverings is one way to tackle the problem of consumption, after it was found that around four-fifths (80 percent) of Scotland’s footprint comes from the products and materials we manufacture, use and throw away. 

Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging Scots to reduce their consumption where possible. In a circular economy, existing materials are kept in use for as long as possible, and nothing is wasted.

Training for Home Energy Scotland staff to help combat climate change

Keep Scotland Beautiful supports Home Energy Scotland to become certified as Carbon Literate

Working with Home Energy Scotland, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has developed and delivered bespoke Climate Emergency Training to staff, embedding carbon literacy into the expert practical advice they provide to help people reduce their carbon emissions and keep warm at home.

Since 2019, over 100 people from the Home Energy Scotland network have participated in Climate Emergency Training, including frontline advisors from all areas of the service.

Home Energy Scotland’s expert advisors offer free, impartial advice on installing energy efficiency measures such as low and zero emissions heating systems, active travel and sustainable transport options, energy saving behaviour change, cutting water waste and more, with the aim of tackling climate change and addressing fuel poverty.

The training sessions explored the science and impacts of climate change and highlighted practical steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Home Energy Scotland staff began by reviewing their own carbon footprint.

They also learnt new constructive approaches for discussing the climate emergency with householders and helping them make the connections between saving energy, money on their energy bills and reducing the carbon emissions that cause climate change.

Participants were asked to select both an individual and a group action to reduce carbon emissions, demonstrating their learning and understanding of carbon emission sources and solutions. Those who pass will receive a Carbon Literate accreditation.

Harry Mayers, Head of Home Energy Scotland said: “Our advisors, specialists and support teams already do an incredible job helping people across Scotland to reduce their energy use and keep warm at home.

“This training consolidates their knowledge in the context of carbon saving and gives them assurance to relate this advice to tackling climate change.

“We recognise the vital importance of this training and are excited to continue our partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful to develop our future capacity to deliver accredited Climate Emergency Training in-house.”

Catherine Gee, Deputy Chief Executive for Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are delighted to have developed bespoke Climate Emergency Training for Home Energy Scotland.

“The climate crisis and Scotland’s journey to net zero is going to require all of us to develop new skills and knowledge, so we are extremely pleased that so many Home Energy Scotland staff have participated in this training and can apply it to their roles.

“We look forward to working with Home Energy Scotland further and helping them embed Climate Emergency Training in their operations.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful is the only Scottish-based organisation to have attained Gold Carbon Literate Organisation status and is the official partner in Scotland for the award-winning Carbon Literacy Project, who provide independent accreditation for the Climate Emergency Training.

In May 2019, the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency and has pledged to drastically reduce emissions from Scotland in the next 10 years. This will mean new legislation and technology that will bring significant changes to the way that we do life and business in Scotland.

With the United Nations COP26 climate conference having just taken place in Glasgow the eyes of the world are on climate action in Scotland like never before. Now is the time to take action.

Climate Emergency Training is available for all businesses, with additional options for bespoke training.

Please contact Keep Scotland Beautiful to find out more, or visit:

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/climate-emergency-training

Blooming Beautiful! Awards celebrate our climate and nature friendly neighbourhoods

18 Edinburgh community groups recognised for commitment to keeping Scotland beautiful

Today, 11 November, over 200 community groups from across Scotland have been recognised by environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, for their efforts to support and enhance their local communities, for the climate and for nature.

At a virtual 2021 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood Seminar and celebration event, 18 It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants from Edinburgh were congratulated for their efforts with a certificate of achievement (see table below), with four also receiving a Certificate of Distinction for continuous improvement.

In addition, Friends of Starbank Park also won second place in the NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Awards.

Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “With the world’s biggest and most important climate change conference to date taking place in Glasgow this week, it is brilliant to be celebrating the work of these communities in Edinburgh who are taking action now.

“We know that across Scotland people are committed to improving and enhancing the places that they care about. And, through the It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants we hear of people doing their bit to understand their own greenhouse emissions and to support nature in the places they care about. These people are making a real difference and I would like to thank them for inspiring us every day.”

This year, three NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friends Awards were presented at the seminar and Friends of Starbank Park, scooped second place, winning £150.

Jim Jeffrey, Pollinator Strategy Manager with NatureScot, who announced the award said: “Once again the Keep Scotland Beautiful Pollinator Friendly Award has attracted a host of interesting entries. The standard just gets better each year.

“Making space for nature, as we face up to the twin threat of climate change and biodiversity loss, has never been more important, and each of the community groups in this category have impressed with the range of actions they are taking.

“The winning projects were among a of number of great examples showing how working together we can help pollinators, whilst making our communities and green spaces more appealing, and fantastic places to spend time in.”

The annual seminar celebrated everything that the entrants, from 30 local authority areas, have achieved in their communities to combat climate change and support biodiversity.

Entrants have also worked to enhance their neighbourhoods, involve the community, and improve areas through gardening and horticulture while tackling litter and other environmental quality challenges.

Speakers included representatives from various entrants from across Scotland, sharing their inspiring stories and delegates also heard about the exciting opportunity to get involved with Scotland’s Climate Festival.

It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants were visited by one of 23 trained volunteer assessors who provide their support, expertise and guidance through the It’s Your Neighbourhood framework which is a part of the UK-wide RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.

RHS Community Development Manager Kay Clark said: “Community gardening groups are showing that, through their work, they can bring communities together, transform outdoor spaces and work in support of wildlife and the local environment.

“They are showing that gardening has a role to play in addressing the challenges that we collectively face and that is every reason to celebrate.”

If you would like to join the #OurBloom family, gain access to support and advice, and help us to keep Scotland beautiful, online registration for 2022 will open in mid-January on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.

The Edinburgh entrants and their results can be found in the table below:

Group Name	Local authority area	IYN Certificate 2021	Level 2021	Certificate of Distinction 2021
Balerno Village Gardeners	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Craigentinny Community Gardening Project	City of Edinburgh	Improving	2
Ferry Road Allotments	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4	Y
Friends of Lauriston Castle Estate	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Friends of Morningside Cemetery	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4
Friends of Saughton Park	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Friends of Starbank Park (NatureScot IYN Pollinator Friendly Award – second place)	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Heart of Newhaven	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Inch View Care Home	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4
Inspiring Hillside	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Inverleith Allotments	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Kirkliston in Bloom	City of Edinburgh	Establishing	1
Lochend Community Growing Project	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Northfield Community Growing Group	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
The Lions’ Gate	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
The Sorted Project	City of Edinburgh	Improving	2
Victoria After School Club	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4

Communities urged to join Scotland’s Climate Festival

Seed funding made available to help communities combat climate change

To achieve the ambitious changes needed to tackle climate change, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is urging communities across the nation to come forward and register events as part of Scotland’s Climate Festival.

The exciting new initiative aims to kick start climate conversations and inspire community led climate action. Whatever the outcome of discussions by world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow, it will augment the scale and increase the impact of empowered local voices across Scotland.

Community climate action is already widespread across Scotland and, building on that, we are calling for communities already hosting events, big and small, physical and online, to sign up to be part of Scotland’s Climate Festival – amplifying the call for greater action and raising awareness of the changes we all need to make if Scotland is to become a Net Zero Nation by 2045.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “COP26 coming to Scotland is a unique opportunity to advance the society-wide transformation demanded by the climate crisis. That’s why we are determined to make sure the event reaches out far beyond the negotiations in Glasgow, into every community in the country.

“Scotland has made great progress in delivering its world-leading climate targets and is already over half-way to net zero. To end our contribution to climate change within a generation, we will all need to play role. Our communities and young people will be at the heart of that action.

“This programme will help empower everyone to take action to tackle climate change – especially those that might have not previously engaged.”

All climate event organisers will have access to expert advice and resources to help promote local events in their community. They will also be offered the opportunity to work with national agencies, such as Sustrans, Zero Waste Scotland and Community Energy Scotland, to create and support events.

Climate events will be added to an online festival map and events calendar further promoting action and engaging wider audiences.

And, to help voices of people everywhere to be included, a Seed Fund has been opened to support organisers set up community climate festivals and events across Scotland.

Funds of up to £500 are available and will support groups that are interested in starting a new climate event in their local community, or in getting their fledging event to the next stage.

Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “The hosting of COP26 in Scotland must be a catalyst to broaden and intensify climate action so that everyone, from all areas of life, can play their part combatting the climate emergency.

“Scotland’s Climate Festival will bring the issues discussed before, during and after COP26 right to the heart of our communities, providing much needed energy and mobilisation to support local action whatever the global agreement is.

“Building on our track record of supporting communities and young people we aim to further unlock opportunities for those currently not engaged in climate change action by providing resources, links to national agency supporters, webinars, branded communications kits and seed funding.”

Scotland’s Climate Festival is supported by the Scottish Government.

Further information can be found at:

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/climatefestivalscot

Litter emergency looms closer as 9 in 10 people agree it is a problem

Litter levels highlight scale of our selfish behaviour

At a national seminar on Scotland’s local environmental quality environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful revealed data from its national surveys which further warn of a looming litter emergency.

88% of people agree litter is a problem across Scotland.
More than two PPE litter items per 1km surveyed.
Five out of six sites surveyed are littered.
1 in 10 sites had unacceptable litter levels.
Smoking related litter is the most commonly observed – present at 64% of sites.
More than half surveyed sites were littered with food and drink items.

Cigarettes, food-on-the-go litter and drinks related litter top the tables once again, but the pandemic has highlighted a new litter type – masks which have never featured in previous years.

The scale of the challenge Scotland faces as we collectively act to tackle the behaviours that are leading to a looming litter emergency is not to be underestimated.

Despite last year being an exceptional one, where data cannot really be compared with our historic trends, and when cleansing services were under extreme pressure, the stats taken from almost 11,000 surveyed sites speak for themselves.

It is clear that litter levels and the littering behaviours highlighted in our report – Time for a new approach to tackling litter last year, need urgent attention.

Mairi McAllan, Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform gave the key note address at Scotland’s Local Environmental Quality Seminar, at which the data was shared with key stakeholders and partners.

The event has kickstarted a programme of online events focusing on the key strands of the proposed new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy which will go out for consultation this winter.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges for those who work hard to keep our country litter free.

“And, it is clear, that for many, the impact that litter, dog fouling and graffiti, has on their communities and neighbourhoods is unacceptable, particularly in our most deprived communities.

“Our latest survey results again highlight that where there are people in large numbers, there are unacceptable levels of litter. While no one organisation can solve this issue, individually we can all take responsibility and bin our litter or take it home and treat our country with respect.

“Alongside The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland we are committed to continuing efforts to support communities, local authorities, businesses, and national agencies to reverse the decline in environmental quality across Scotland.

“We must now build on the collaborative work we have started over the past 18months, to eradicate the selfish behaviours that impact our neighbourhoods and the places we visit.

“We’re calling for everyone in Scotland to join us on our collective mission to make all of Scotland beautiful again”

Despite the continuing increase in litter levels there is a clear, collective ambition to tackle litter and we are working with others to ensure that the positive action, carried out by volunteers who pledged 1.5million minutes to litter pick during our Summer Clean this June, and positive momentum of the national ‘Scotland is Stunning’ litter campaign really makes a difference.

Everyone needs to step up to the challenge. Litter should be one of the easiest environmental problems to solve – everyone is able to bin their litter or take it home.

My Beach Your Beach makes a splash at Portobello

Litter down as summer campaign comes to a close

Snapshot litter surveys on Portobello Beach carried out by Keep Porty Tidy, as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s campaign My Beach Your Beach, show a decrease in litter this summer.

A total of 64 items of litter were counted across 100m of the beach and prom at the end of the summer, versus 114 items on the same stretch at the start of the summer, and 293 items counted last year.

A combination of campaign activity, which encouraged beach goers to help care for the sand and sea, as well as the efforts of the growing Keep Porty Tidy group, which has been tackling litter head-on at the site are likely to have contributed to these results.

Funded by the Scottish Government and supported by SEPA, My Beach Your Beach has been running since 2018 to support bathing water quality improvements at a growing selection of Scottish beaches including Portobello, Fisherrow Sands and Kinghorn on the east coast of the country, and Ayr, Troon, Irvine and, this year’s addition, Saltocoats/Ardrossan on the west.

The campaign encourages beach stewardship and raises awareness of bad habits that can impact on the sand and sea. This includes leaving litter or dog poo on the beach, feeding and attracting gulls to the bathing water and blocking pipes by flushing ‘unflushables’ down the toilet or pouring fats, oils or greases down the drain.

The latest litter surveys highlight the importance of beach goers taking responsibility for their litter and using the bins provided, with 51% of litter (discounting cigarette stubs) coming from people eating and drinking on or near the beach.

Georgina Massouraki, Campaigns Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “It is very encouraging to see litter levels drop at Portobello beach this summer. These results show what can be achieved when everyone steps in to play a part.

“It has been great working in collaboration with the council and Keep Porty Tidy and seeing all the efforts that are being made locally to protect the sand and sea at this beautiful beach.

“We hope that everyone who enjoys Portobello is moved to support these efforts, never leaving litter for volunteers to clean up, stepping up and joining a beach clean, and also making sure they understand how their habits can impact on the quality of the beloved bathing waters we all share.”

With the summer bathing season over, My Beach Your Beach will continue to engage people near the campaign beaches through the winter months, particularly around indoor habits relating to pipes and drains in collaboration with local councils, businesses and schools.

A new classroom resource has been rolled out to 18 secondary schools locally, with an introduction to bathing water quality focusing on the two Portobello bathing waters – Portobello Central and Portobello West.

A writing assignment encouraging students to reflect on their favourite aspect of the beach and explain why that makes it worth protecting will be featured as part of the campaign going forward.

For more information visit:

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach

Involving young people in COP26

Opportunities to meet world leaders and climate activists

More children and young people will have the chance to get involved in COP26. A further £35,000 funding from the Scottish Government will increase the reach of initiatives from ReNew the World and Campaign Collective who organise events to meet world leaders and climate activists.

The funding will also support the Climate Changemakers programme from the Children’s Parliament, which will provide opportunities for children up to 14-years-old to share their ideas for tackling the climate crisis.

In July the Scottish Government announced £450,000 to support COP26’s Youth Climate Programme and a further £300,000 in September to fund the Conference of Youth.

Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey said: “Children and young people in Scotland are driving forward the cause for climate action and it is vital we listen to their views and harness their passion as part of COP26 and its legacy.

“We have now invested £950,000 to involve our children and young people in COP26 and the ongoing climate conversation. This will ensure they not only have a strong voice during the event, but also have a say in what should happen after.”

Director of ReNew the World Ewan Hunter said: “COP26 provides the opportunity for the world to look at the challenges we face on climate in a rational, but optimistic, positive, way. One based upon renewal, innovation and opportunity.

“By creating the opportunities for engagement, we can give these young people the chance to write a very different story for their generation’s future and their vision of our collective journey to net zero.”

Last month the Scottish Government announced £160,000 of funding for Local Authority Climate Champions. The programme is being delivered in partnership with Young Scot, YouthLink Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The Children’s Parliament will receive £15,000 to support their Climate Changemakers programme.

ReNew the World will receive £15,000 to host and film events for young people and high-profile influential political and business leaders.

Campaign Collective will receive £5,000 to support their events and shadowing opportunities.

38 Edinburgh parks presented with a Green Flag Award

Keep Scotland Beautiful celebrates sustainable and well managed parks across Scotland

Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that 38 parks in Edinburgh have been presented with a Green Flag Award. The accolade acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country that help to boost our nation’s health and wellbeing.

The international Green Flag Award is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space. The award celebrates well maintained parks and greenspaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe areas for play – something that has been particularly important to everyone over the last 18 months. Over 2,000 parks across the world have achieved the award this year.

Amongst the 2021 award winners are spaces managed by local authorities, community groups and various other organisations including the NHS.

Amongst the 38 winning Edinburgh parks is the Royal Edinburgh Hospital run by NHS Lothian and Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden run by Friends of Corstorphine Hill, whilst both Harrison Park and Braidburn Valley Park are celebrating their 15^th consecutive year of achieving the Green Flag Award.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “I would like to congratulate all of Scotland’s award-winning parks. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“Every single one of these parks provides an invaluable service to the local communities that it serves – from creating a safe space to play, to think, to work out – and they helped to address many of the health and wellbeing challenges we faced as a country during lockdown.”

“Spending time in nature can be good for people’s health and wellbeing, and merely living in a greener neighbourhood can be good for health. The Green Flag Award recognises the valuable, and tangible contribution that these parks make towards the nation’s well-being.”

Tracey McKagen, Services Director for the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services in NHS Lothian, said: “I’m really delighted that our hospital has received this award as it shows how much work goes into looking after our beautiful greenspaces.

“These areas are very important to us in NHS Lothian as they enable both our staff and patients to connect with nature, which helps with mental and general wellbeing.

“This award was only possible with the support and contributions from the whole hospital community, so I would like to thank everyone involved for their ongoing hard work to support our natural areas. As the site evolves to meet future healthcare needs our greenspace management plan will ensue nature continues to be at the heart of the site.”

City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: We’re incredibly proud of our beautiful parks in Edinburgh and it’s wonderful that we’re once again the proud holders of more Green Flags than anywhere else in Scotland – more than half of the awards granted.

“Green Flags are given to those parks that give everyone access to a safe, clean and pleasant green space where they can relax, play and exercise and I’m delighted that so many of our parks have achieved this important and much sought-after recognition which is well deserved.

“Despite the challenging times we’re all still facing and with increased investment, the quality of Edinburgh’s parks continues to improve. I want to pay tribute to everyone, staff, friends of parks and volunteers, who work so hard all year round, and in all-weathers to keep our award-winning parks so beautiful.

“These public spaces have been a source of comfort, solace, fun and relaxation for residents over the difficult last 18 months and are essential to our wellbeing. There’s always more to discover, though, so I’d encourage everyone to get out and explore our parks this Autumn.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, said: “This is fantastic news, parks have proved to be real havens in recent times and my thanks to our skilled and dedicated parks staff for their continued care and hard work.

“I also want to thank all our Friends of Parks groups for everything they do. The parks belong to the people of Edinburgh and we’re so grateful for the support from our citizens. Since we first started taking part in the Green Flag scheme in 2007, we’ve gone from just two flags to 38, which is more than half of all Green Flags given out in the whole country – this is a tremendous achievement and we’ll keep working hard to make sure our parks go from strength to strength.”

A detailed map of Scotland’s Green Flag sites can be found at:

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/parks

Have you got seven days to take seven actions on litter?

Environmental charity calls for young people to engage with mini-Litter Less campaign

Scotland is facing a looming litter emergency and environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling for teachers and youth leaders to get involved in a new international 10-day campaign to tackle litter.

The Mini Litter Less campaign will run from 18 – 28 October 2021 and those that sign up to participate will be supported with a seven-point action plan.

The plan includes activities to learn about the biodiversity and nature around you, to understand plastic pollution, to find out more about invisible pollutants, to consider consumption habits, to think about the partnership approach to tackling the issue, and to organise a litter pick and celebration picnic.

The campaign will also feature a Zero Waste Day where young people will be encouraged to live a whole day without producing any waste at all.

Participants will be asked to post their thoughts, photos and videos on social media using the #LitterLessCampaign, and the best three will be selected by us and entered into an international competition – with the best 10 global entries winning a prize of $100.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Education and Learning Manager Daniel Barrie, said: “Litter Less is an annual campaign we run on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE). Across the world 15 other countries participate and it supports over 1.3million children and over 20,000 educators to improve and enhance the places they love in their own villages, towns and cities by campaigning to stop litter.

“This Mini Litter Less campaign provides an easy to follow seven-point action plan to help drive a change in the behaviour that causes litter. The actions are easy to fulfil and are designed to be tackled one a day over a period of time.

“Tackling litter and waste is crucial if we are to reverse declining standards of cleanliness across our country and the planet so we would encourage everyone to get involved.”

KSB have run the wider Litter Less campaign for nine years, and in that time £56,000 of support has been provided to 244 Scottish schools, helping them to become more ‘litter-ate’ and to purchase litter picking equipment and bins.

In addition, more than, 4,000 educators and 50,000 children and young people have been involved across Scotland.

If you are interested in getting involved contact:

litterless@keepscotlandbeautiful.org or visit our Litterless web pages.