‘We can make littering unacceptable’: Caithness playing its part in Spring Clean Scotland
Litter collectors in Caithness are part of a public-spirited army of more than 22,000 who have been taking part in Spring Clean Scotland.
The annual challenge run by Keep Scotland Beautiful began on March 21 and, with about two weeks still to go, the environmental charity is hoping to exceed its volunteer target numbers.
By the halfway stage of the campaign, more than 800 clean-up events had taken place across the country.
Spring Clean Scotland activities in the Wick area are led by the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, supported by Wick Paths Group and others.
Keep Scotland Beautiful says it is committed to showing that cleaning up can be the norm.
Scotland’s acting net-zero secretary Gillian Martin said: “Litter is a blight on our streets and communities and it harms our countryside and marine environment.
“I want to thank everyone who has given up their time to take part in this year’s Spring Clean Scotland so far.
“Scotland is a beautiful country and we all have a responsibility to keep it that way. Everyone who takes part is helping to make a real difference to their local areas and protecting our natural environment and wildlife.”
Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’ve declared a litter emergency in Scotland. With 81 per cent of people agreeing they want to see increased action to clean up litter in their communities, Spring Clean Scotland 2025 is the perfect chance for people to get involved and take action to reverse the deterioration in environmental quality in Scotland’s neighbourhoods.
“Every spring we are so impressed with the sheer number of people who are getting involved with a litter pick – giving us hope that we can make littering unacceptable if we all take action.
“Every effort, however big or small, helps – and every single piece of litter picked up is another step towards reversing the litter emergency.”
The charity is supporting the aims outlined in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy for Scotland. One of these has been the development of an online Community Litter Hub.
More than 300 pupils and staff at Noss primary in Wick joined forces to tidy the school and surrounding areas in an express litter-pick.
They were praised for their willingness to “get stuck in” by Allan Bruce, vice-chairman of the community council and organiser of the town’s Spring Clean Scotland activities.
The second of Wick’s three Spring Clean Scotland events takes place on Sunday, April 6, at the airport industrial estate and nearby forest area.
The final one is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, covering general areas around Wick, starting from the riverside car park at 10am.
The first event, on March 23, concentrated on the area around the Grizzly Park and South Head. Thirty-two people got involved, including members of Wick Paths Group and Wick Flowers as well as pupils and staff from Newton Park Primary School.