The Litter pick results
An update on our litter plans
Its Spring Clean time and Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched the annual litter pick initiatives throughout Scotland.
Litter levels remain a huge frustration for many of us with 87% of people recognising that litter is a problem throughout our wonderful country. It seems that Government led environmental issues are solely focussed on the reduction of CO2 levels and ignore the other environmental emergency that negatively impacts on many of us daily. Why are they mutually exclusive? I ask rhetorically.
Fraser and Toby from Cessnock Estates, on behalf of The Rubbish Party have been clearing litter from the verges of the A719 (between Galston and the A77), during the course of this week. In two days they collected assorted debris that has been dumped onto the road side, including tyres, road signs, road cones and sandbags, additionally, they filled over 70 bags with detritus that has been discarded from car windows along the road. As I write, I see another 11 bags have been collected this morning along with more road cones plus sand bags.I praise all people who give up their time to participate in litter picks and clean ups. Without this, our communities would look dreadful. Within the Irvine Valley a number of community groups have already commenced the annual litter picks and many volunteers will be out and about clearing up after those who genuinely ‘care less’. Give us a HOOT from your car to show your support!
The key to stopping the littering is programme of education coupled with effective enforcement. The Litter in Schools Programme is being rolled out throughout all schools in East Ayrshire. The aim of this initiative is to raise the awareness of children and young people of the environmental impact of littering plus informing them of the potential consequences of littering, this is a fine of £80 or the participation in a restorative activity at school or in the community, a litter pick.
Of course, this does not address littering from vehicles. During the forthcoming weeks, along with colleagues from EAC, a CCTV roadside antilittering programme is to be launched. Specific roads will be monitored by CCTV with the sole intention of capturing the vehicle registration numbers of vehicles from which litter has been discarded.
It is hoped that alongside catching and fining offenders, that the programme will act as a deterrent and encourage potential offenders to put their litter in a bin.
