Call for Keep Scotland Beautiful's Spring Clean to be 'bigger and better' in Wick
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Wick litter-pick organiser Allan Bruce is determined to make this year's Spring Clean in the town "bigger and better" than ever before.
The initiative is being run by Keep Scotland Beautiful from March 17 until April 17 and the environmental charity is appealing for as many people as possible to join in. It has warned of a "litter emergency" across the country.
Mr Bruce, a member of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Wick Paths Group, is keen to get businesses, schools and others involved in tidying up the town this spring.
He told the January meeting of the community council on Monday night that last year's efforts led to 185 black bags of rubbish being collected locally.
“This is a Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign and the community council was very instrumental in it last year," he explained.
"It's held over four weeks and I would really love to get involved again and organise local events.
“We did 292 man hours last year and we collected 12 cubic metres of waste, approximately – that was 185 black bags.
“This year I want to go bigger and better. I want to get more businesses involved, I want to encourage individuals to do their bit, I want to concentrate on education, I want to interact with schools, youth clubs, other groups and possibly the Association of Caithness Community Councils. But it's predominantly Wick that I am interested in.
“I would like to do four local projects within our town – four areas that we can think of.
“I just want to get the word out there so that the seed is planted.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful has a partnership with LitterLotto, an app that offers a free-to-enter draw with regular spot prizes and jackpots. To enter, users take a photo of themselves putting litter in a bin.
Mr Bruce recommended LitterLotto and revealed that he himself has been among the prize winners.
Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “It is clear from our research that litter and the ongoing decline in local environmental quality across Scotland is a matter of significant public concern.
“There can be no debate that the litter emergency is here. The time to tackle it is now.
“We have such a strong network of groups across the country that play their part in helping us clean up Scotland, but we can all do more to play our part. Every action, however small, makes a difference."
