An incredible 2.5 tonnes of rubbish was collected from the road verges of East Dunbartonshire during this month’s Week of Action on Roadside Litter, from May 12 to 20.
Operatives from the Council’s Greenspace and Streetscene team, along with 108 volunteers, collected 271 bags plus one skip of litter. In addition, various bulk items were removed including an old fireplace, a chemical toilet, shopping trollies, chairs, a broken swing and an old mattress.
East Dunbartonshire Council signed up to the national campaign being coordinated by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful. More than a dozen distinct areas were targeted including some of the area’s busiest rural roads in a bid to tackle the unsightly issue.
Officers from the Community Safety team were also out on litter patrol throughout the campaign. While most people were seen disposing of litter appropriately, two fixed penalties had to be issued.
Cllr Susan Murray, Vice-Convener of Place, Neighbourhood and Community Assets, said, “We are lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful countryside in East Dunbartonshire, but roadside litter is a real scourge on the landscape.
“The large volume of litter removed – 2.5 tonnes – is testament to the hard work of officers and community groups and they are to be congratulated on their outstanding effort.
“However, the figures are also a sad indication of the disregard that some have for our local environment. We hope this high profile campaign will have gone some way to making people think twice about dropping litter from their vehicles.
Thomas McMenamin, Greenspace and Streetscene Manager, added: “It was very encouraging to see so many volunteers willing to work with us to make a difference to the local environment. We would like to thank everyone who joined our officers to make the Week of Action such a success.
“Several of the groups have expressed an interest in continuing with this type of volunteering. Streetscene Technical Support will continue to operate a loan scheme for litter pickers and supply refuse bags for any group or individual who wishes to organise a community clean up.
“The Council shares the volunteers’ frustration with the volume of litter dropped, especially from vehicles along rural road verges. If individuals took responsibility for their own litter, campaigns such as these would not be necessary.”
Figures from Keep Scotland Beautiful show that the amount of litter and flytipping in Scotland is at its’ worst level in a decade, with 82.8% of motorways and A class roadside verges recording a presence of litter in 2016/17.
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