Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Avoiding unnecessary waste goes hand-in-hand with all Keep Scotland Beautiful campaigns.
Here are some of the ways the reduction of waste and the reuse or recycling of materials is encouraged as part of National Spring Clean:
- Volunteers can opt out of receiving a Clean Up Kit when they register with National Spring Clean.
- If group organisers do request a Clean Up Kit, they are asked how many participants they are expecting and only sent as many materials as they need Only groups involving children are sent stickers.
- The Clean Up Kit information pack is now available online, saving paper.
- Volunteers are requested to reuse tabards where possible, eg if groups/classes are taking part in a staggered series of litter picks.
- Clear bags are available from local authorities, to encourage volunteers to separate recycle-able materials from the general litter that they collect.
- The poster template is limited to one per Kit, so group organisers can either photocopy it or use the online poster-making facility to create additional copies if they require them.
- Tabards are made out of recycled plastic. The possibility of using biodegradable materials has been investigated but due to the quantity required and the amount of time they spend in storage (because they are bought in bulk) this option is not practical.
- Kits are wrapped and posted in reusable bin bags to reduce packaging.
- KSB communicate with volunteers and supporters primarily by email or phone, rather than post, to avoid wasting paper. It is also made as easy as possible for participants to contact KSB via these methods, eg by making feedback facilities available online so they do not have to send paper copies.
If you have any further ideas or suggestions about how we can reduce waste, please contact us.
You can find out about other ways that you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in your community through the Zero Waste Volunteer Programme. You can find out about the programme here or find your nearest group using their group map.
