We need to continue educating people, says Wick litter-pick organiser
There is a continuing need to educate people about disposing of their rubbish responsibly, according to a Wick community councillor who organises litter-picks in and around the town.
Allan Bruce was speaking after Keep Scotland Beautiful published two new reports highlighting the extent of what it calls "Scotland's litter emergency".
The environmental charity found that nine out of 10 people in Scotland believe that litter is an issue across the country, a perception that has grown over the past three years.
Mr Bruce is vice-chairman of both the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Wick Paths Group. He organises community litter-picks as part of the nationwide Spring Clean Scotland, run by Keep Scotland Beautiful, and promotes initiatives such as LitterLotto.
Mr Bruce said: "From a local perspective, I think in Wick we are managing to keep on top of the litter problem as organisations like the community council and paths group are doing more regular litter-picks, and there are definitely more individuals picking up litter on their daily walks – which is great to see, and is to be encouraged.
"Is there less litter? I don’t think so, we are just managing it better.
"Certainly I think there was a missed opportunity with the delaying of the Deposit Return Scheme.
"We need to continue educating people and encourage the use of available litter bins, of which there are plenty. The local Highland Council waste team are good at making sure they are emptied. Any that are full, a simple message and it is dealt with."
He added: "The dates for next year’s Spring Clean Scotland have been announced – from March 15 until April 28 – and for the third year the community council will be arranging litter-picks."
Keep Scotland Beautiful has published two new reports – the Scottish Litter Survey, a public perception snapshot, and a ground litter report entitled How Clean Are Our Streets?
The charity says both reports reveal "the depth and breadth of Scotland's litter emergency".
In the Scottish Litter Survey, 90 per cent of those asked said they believe litter is a problem across the country – the highest number since the research began. The ground litter report revealed that litter levels "continue to significantly impact the cleanliness of our streets and roads".
Thirty-nine per cent believe that litter in general has become more common in their area over the past year. Litter levels were found to be more significant in the least affluent areas.
Twenty-seven per cent of sites recorded a presence of litter that would be recoverable under a Deposit Return Scheme.
Barry Fisher, chief executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Scotland is facing a litter emergency – and there is consistent recognition of this annually. The data we’ve published only strengthens the need for positive and imminent change across all areas, from innovative behaviour change interventions to bin provision and servicing, to enforcement and the speedy introduction of policies which we urgently need to ensure our country has a more circular economy.
Both reports have been published on Keep Scotland Beautiful's website.
Mr Fisher added: "We can’t keep saying that there is a problem. We need to ensure we reverse the trend with consistent, collective action."