Wick community groups to team up for Spring Clean Scotland litter-picking sessions

Three community organisations in Wick will be joining forces in the coming weeks to tackle the scourge of litter in and around the town.

The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) is spearheading the initiative locally as part of a national campaign being run by Keep Scotland Beautiful, with Wick Paths Group and Wick Development Trust also taking part.

Volunteers will be out litter-picking in the Wick area on four successive Sundays – from March 27 to April 17 – as their contribution to Spring Clean Scotland 2022.

Community councillor Allan Bruce outlined the plan of action at Monday's RBWCC meeting.

Wick Paths Group will take responsibility for the first of the town's organised litter picks, on March 27, covering the Grizzly Park and South Head area.

Wick Development Trust will take the lead the following week, on April 3, concentrating on Lower Pulteneytown, the harbour area and the town centre.

The next weekend (April 10) will see community council members and friends tackling the airport industrial estate and nearby woodland area.

On the final day – April 17 – all three organisations will get together to tidy up what Mr Bruce called the town's three main “gateways” – from Lochshell, Charity Farm and Milton into Wick.

Each litter pick will have a 10am start.

Mr Bruce explained that people could help in a number of ways outwith the organised sessions.

“We're trying to encourage people, even if in your lunch break, to go out with a carrier bag and go round with a pair of gloves or a litter-picker and fill a bag, then take a photo of it and post it on the community council's Facebook page," he said.

“One thing you could do in the month is just buy a hook for your wheelie bin because they are the biggest source of litter, especially with the winds that we get here.”

Mr Bruce added: “I travel back and fore to Vulcan every day, and the verges in this whole county are terrible.”

He pointed out, however, that the Wick riverside area is “immaculate” because volunteers are regularly picking up litter there and “keeping on top of it”.

Anyone wishing to get involved is asked to check the RBWCC Facebook page prior to each event. Further information can be provided by Mr Bruce at allan.bruce2@btinternet.com

Mr Bruce said later: "We are working with the schools to get involved and raise awareness of the issue, and reaching out to community organisations, businesses and individuals to either join one of our organised events or do a bit themselves.

"All that we are asking for is as many people to get involved as possible, as together we can make a real difference to our local community.

"We are asking people to share and record what they have collected by sending a photo so that a total amount can be calculated."

Research by Keep Scotland Beautiful has revealed that 88 per cent of Scots agree that litter is a problem across the country, while 70 per cent are concerned about litter in their area.

Spring Clean Scotland 2022 runs from March 21 to April 21. It is promoted as "the perfect opportunity to make a difference by picking up litter on your local beach, streets, parks and beyond".

Barry Fisher, chief executive officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, 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, with many people giving up their time to clean up their local areas despite the challenges of the last two years. We would love as many people as possible to join in and give Scotland a spring clean this March and April."

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