East Dunbartonshire Council backs Scotland is Stunning campaign

Date: 
Friday, 4 June, 2021

Cathy was in the CampsiesEast Dunbartonshire Council is supporting the second phase of the award-wining Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way litter prevention campaign.

First launched last year to coincide with tourism re-opening in Scotland, the campaign by Zero Waste Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful, aims to raise awareness of the harm done by littering, encouraging Scots to change their habits by taking their litter home or binning it. 

Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way aims to encourage people in East Dunbartonshire who are eager to go out and enjoy Scotland’s natural beauty and wildlife to bin their litter or take it home with them.

East Dunbartonshire Council will be supporting the Scotland is Stunning campaign on its social media channels and will also be producing localised posters for its towns and villages urging people to take responsibility for their own rubbish by either binning it or taking it home.

The campaign, in which popular Scottish comedian Janey Godley lends her voice to radio and online adverts, reminds Scots out enjoying themselves to leave a green or rural space exactly the way you found it.

As the country takes another step back to normality, rural and green spaces and urban parks are expected to see a flurry of visitors in the coming months, raising concerns about littering. In fact, most people in Scotland are concerned about litter levels in their local area, with research carried out by Zero Waste Scotland indicating that a majority (89%) see it as a problem in their area. Recently, a third (34%) of the population have seen an increase in litter since the pandemic.

As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can harm wildlife and be a danger for children.

This campaign also leads the way for behaviour change ahead of the expected ban on certain problematic single-use plastic products. As Scotland moves away from single-use items and increases recycling through the new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks cans and bottles, this will ultimately result in less litter, making a good case for systemic change.

Commenting on their involvement Joint Council leader Vaughan Moody said,

"Scotland is Stunning is such a fantastic and worthwhile campaign to be a part of, we’re so passionate about preserving our beautiful countryside in East Dunbartonshire.

"East Dunbartonshire’s unspoilt scenery and parks play a vital role in encouraging people to enjoy our region and support businesses, but this can only happen if areas of beauty remain in their original pristine state.

"Although the campaign is rightly focus on preventing littering being discarded in the first place, we also recognise and thank the communities and groups that come together regularly to keep their own communities litter free."

Joint Council leader Andrew Polson added, "We are lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful countryside in East Dunbartonshire, but litter continues to be a real scourge on the landscape and puts additional pressure on our resources.

"To really affect change, attitudes to discarding rubbish have to change and people need to start to think twice about dropping litter.

"We will be trying to get as many people in East Dunbartonshire involved as possible and would encourage other organisations and businesses to sign up too."

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said:

“As restrictions ease and many of us can once again return to our favourite Scottish beauty spots, we are asking everyone to take their litter home or bin it.

“Visitors to green and rural areas will be keen to make up for lost time and we don’t blame them. We’re joining forces with brilliant partners once again to remind everyone to respect our hills, lochs, parks, and woodlands. Now is the time to enjoy the great outdoors but please leave Scotland as stunning as it was when you found it.”

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, said:

"We want everyone to have the chance to enjoy Scotland’s stunning outdoors this summer. Litter isn’t just an eye sore – it harms our wildlife, contributes to the climate crisis and impacts on our health and wellbeing. To make sure people can enjoy our parks, beaches and countryside after you leave, please put your rubbish in the bin, recycling it if you can.”

Barry Fisher, CEO, Keep Scotland Beautiful said:

“We know from our work with communities across Scotland that most people want to do the right thing and take action to make all of Scotland stunning again.  Our evidence shows that we’re facing a looming litter emergency across Scotland, so we’re delighted to support this campaign.  We all can, and should, do more to tackle litter. And while some people need to change their behaviour, thousands of people have pledged to litter pick as part of our Summer Clean this month, helping them turn their anger into action.”

The Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way campaign launches today and will be rolled out across social media channels and outdoor advertising over the summer holidays. Partners, businesses, local authorities, and community groups are encouraged to download the free campaign toolkit, which includes digital tools and posters.

The campaign will involve close working with partners across different industries, from tourism to transport, building on the strong performance of the initial campaign in 2020, which achieved backing of over 100 organisations and positive feedback from those surveyed.

To support the campaign and encourage others to do the same, please download the campaign toolkit, or visit zero waste Scotland for further details.

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