A nationwide campaign encouraging people to tackle litter and care for their communities has begun across the Highlands as part of this year’s Spring Clean Scotland.
The annual event, coordinated by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, runs from 13 March until 24 April and brings together volunteers across the country for Scotland’s largest organised litter picking effort.
More than 10,000 people have already signed up to take part in the campaign, pledging their time to remove litter from streets, parks, beaches and countryside areas.
Across the Highlands at least 10 organised clean up events have already been planned as communities prepare to take part in the national effort.
The campaign arrives amid growing concern about the scale of litter across Scotland and the impact it is having on the country’s environment and communities.
Earlier this year research revealed that 50 per cent of adults in Scotland admitted to littering within the previous 12 months.
At the same time 88 per cent of people said they believe litter is a problem across the country.
Organisers say the campaign provides an opportunity for communities to work together to address the issue and take pride in the places where they live.
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said the early response to the campaign had already been encouraging.
“As we launch this year’s #SpringCleanScotland I’m delighted to say we’ve already passed 10,000 registrations but we need thousands more.
“We know how strong the appetite is for a cleaner Scotland more than 80 per cent of people want more done to clean up and prevent litter.
“We are calling for the next Scottish Government to do more to address litter by investing in prevention, behaviour change and enforcement and it would be fantastic to see party leaders, MSPs and prospective MSPs show their commitment to tackling litter during Spring Clean either by organising a clean up or supporting a local event.
“While we continue to push for this we need everyone to play their part.
“We all have a job to do so join a litter pick or register your own and help us keep our precious environment free from litter.”
Communities across the Highlands have increasingly organised their own events as part of the campaign in recent years.
Allan Bruce of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community group said local volunteers had already seen the difference community action can make.
“This is the fifth year that the Royal Burgh of Wick Community has organised litter picking events in our town we recognise the issue we have with litter in our community by coming together and working alongside the local authority waste staff we have managed to make a real difference to the community we live in.”
To raise awareness of the campaign across Scotland a Citylink bus has been wrapped with campaign graphics encouraging people to get involved in clean up events.
Organisers say the campaign also supports wider efforts to deliver Scotland’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy and encourage lasting behaviour change.
With the campaign now underway communities across the Highlands are being encouraged to organise clean ups or join existing events during the six week effort.
#SpringCleanScotland runs from 13 March until 24 April.
To find a clean-up event near you or register your own, visit https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/clean-up-scotland/spring-clean-scotland/ for more information.
