Focus on tackling ‘staycation’ waste
A new litter reduction champion working for The GRAB Trust is on a mission to keep Mid Argyll and Kintyre looking beautiful.
Christina Saunders has been appointed as a community litter volunteer co-ordinator by the environmental charity.
She will be out and about in communities across the area providing practical help and support to stem the tide of ‘staycation’ litter anticipated this summer.
According to Keep Scotland Beautiful, the problem of littering is at its highest level since records began 17 years ago. And the anticipated rise of people holidaying at home in Scotland means Argyll and Bute could welcome record numbers of visitors and tourists this summer, something which could exacerbate the litter problem.
To counter the impact of this, The GRAB Trust has teamed up with Argyll and Bute Council and Keep Scotland Beautiful to support co-ordinated community action and deliver a new message to encourage residents and visitors to foster responsible attitudes to litter and litter prevention and reduction.
The GRAB Trust has responded to the expected increase in litter and waste by forming new, area-based roles for community litter volunteer co-ordinators who will be a point of contact for partner organisations, community leaders and groups, providing information, advice and guidance.
They will lead and support community clean-ups by completing risk assessments and arranging tools and materials and the collection of the gathered waste.
They will also provide support to complete feedback surveys and data collection to inform policy change and interventions in the future. Campaign materials including point-of-sale for businesses and litter bin signs will hopefully encourage consumers to dispose of their waste in bins or by taking waste home. Speaking about her appointment, Christina said: ‘The most effective way of keeping Argyll and Bute beautiful is for us all to do our part.
‘Members of the public are encouraged to do their own five-minute litter pick or join in an organised community clean-up this summer. I can be contacted through The GRAB Trust. Together with Argyll and Bute Council, the trust will have information points at busy locations and litter-pickers are available to organised groups for collection and return through liveArgyll. Loan of litter-pickers can be organised through my office. If you are part of a community group, a concerned individual or a business and would like information or support please get in touch.’
The GRAB Trust is looking to hear from the community on any of the following points:
What you and your community are doing to clean up the environment?
What your concerns are with regards to litter and waste?
Have you noticed any litter hotspots and would you like information, support and guidance to clean these up and prevent this happening in the future?
Readers can contact Christina via The GRAB Trust’s Facebook page, by emailing christina.saunders@ grab.org.uk or by telephoning 07869 144787.
Anyone interested in keeping up-to-date with the trust’s work can become a member via the website www.grab.org. uk or the group’s Facebook page.