Visitors to East Dunbartonshire are urged not to spoil it by littering when they’re enjoying days out in our beautiful landscape.
Zero Waste Scotland has launched a new campaign: Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way, which aims to inspire people getting out and about to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving litter, reminding them they should either bin litter or take it home.
The campaign, which highlights the beauty of Scotland’s lochs and mountains, city parks and country woodlands, is backed by the Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful. East Dunbartonshire Council is backing the campaign with new specific digital assets and poster letting visitors know that East Dunbartonshire is Stunning – Let’s Keep it that Way, featuring an image of the Campsies.
As lockdown eases, local businesses and the tourism industry in general across Scotland are counting on an increase in trade to support them through what are difficult economic times.
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.
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson, said, "We have all been making greater use of our open spaces for exercise during the past year due to lockdown and we are lucky to be surrounded by such beautiful countryside in East Dunbartonshire.
"However, litter continues to be a real scourge on the landscape thanks to the bad habits of a small number of thoughtless individuals who have a disregard for our local environment.
"I hope this high profile campaign will go some way to making people think twice about dropping litter and the additional pressure it puts on our resources."
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody, added, “If individuals took responsibility for their own litter by binning it or taking it home, campaigns such as these would not be necessary.
"I hope that people will understand the damage that this behaviour does and stop expecting others to clean up their mess.
“The Council is having operate essential services whilst ensuring that physical distance between employees is maintained as well as between employees and the public. This, combined with the pressure on staff levels due to individuals having to self-isolate, continues to affect frontline Streetscene operations and so we are asking the public to assist us by binning their rubbish.”
As lockdown restrictions have eased, we have unfortunately seen a minority of selfish individuals show no regard for our beautiful country, dropping their rubbish wherever they are instead of doing the right thing – putting it in a bin or taking it home.
As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can also be a danger to young children and animals, and it is estimated that 80% of marine litter washing up on our beaches started out on land.
Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland chief executive, said:
“People are understandably keen to enjoy everything Scotland has to offer this summer, and onwards. If you are camping, exercising, having a barbecue or just enjoying the scenery, have fun, but remember to bin what you don’t need or take it with you.
“I’m delighted East Dunbartonshire Council is getting involved in our campaign. Go home with happy memories and leave East Dunbartonshire litter-free so others can do the same. We know Scotland is stunning, let’s keep it that way!”
For community groups and other local organisations keen to spread the message to daytrippers and staycationers to bin litter or take it home, a free downloadable campaign toolkit is available online including customisable digital tools and posters. Meanwhile, the campaign can be followed on social media using the hashtag #BinYourLitter
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added:
“We welcome this new campaign highlighting the beauty of Scotland and all it has to offer. Litter levels across Scotland are unacceptable, and in many places are getting much worse. Alongside this campaign we will continue to offer support to all those who have already stepped up to tackle this problem in their own communities with litter clean ups and projects to improve and protect the places they care about.”
To download the campaign toolkit, or for further information, please visit managingourwaste.scot/litter
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