10 Good Reasons

BalallanThere are lots of good reasons to take part in an organised litter pick. Here are our top ten!

  1. It helps to protect wildlife from the dangers of eating or getting caught up in litter. The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society coordinates monthly beach cleans along the Moray Firth as part of an initiative to help protect local wildlife from the damaging effects of rubbish strewn across beaches.
  2. It may be a suitable project for a John Muir environmental award. Clean ups undertaken by the Children’s Parliament for Uist and Barra and pupils at Braeview Academy have counted towards their awards.
  3. Litter is a compulsory topic in the Eco-Schools Scotland programme. Many schools and nurseries take part in community clean ups to demonstrate they are serious about tackling litter in their local area.
  4. A litter pick can help to launch your local litter or community action campaign. See Community Green Initiative's website to see how the campaign to improve their area has grown from strength to strength.
  5. Everyone can join in and help to make a difference. A group of Clydebank College students who have learning difficulties carried out a spring clean as part of their Community Course. The course focuses on citizenship and volunteering and their litter pick covered both aspects.
  6. Eco Congregations helps church congregations understand environmental issues and encourages practical action. Gorgie Parish Church organised a litter pick to demonstrate its concern about the environment and their local community.
  7. A sponsored litter pick can be a good fundraising activity. Pupils from Keith Grammar School put the money they raised towards the costs of an expedition to Peru to carry out some charity work.
  8. Taking part in a clean up can help to foster a sense of community ownership and pride. Ayrshire Community Education & Sports group invited young people to help clean up a badly run down football pitch so it could be used to coach them in sports activities.
  9. Clean ups can contribute towards the Scouts' Community Challenge Award, which requires Scouts to undertake six hours of community service. The 6th East Kilbride Scouts cleaned up an area near where they meet as part of their award.
  10. A clean up can kick-start further community improvement initiatives and help you on your way to It's Your Neighbourhood or Beautiful Scotland.

You can also pledge your support to the Clean Up Britain campaign by visiting www.cleanupbritain.org