The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Council promises no let-up on litter
Adopt-a-street idea to enhance, not replace, council service
Council bosses have vowed a community litter blitz will not signal a reduction in its own efforts to keep Angus clean.
An Adopt-a-street initiative was launched yesterday in Arbroath at the first community-led litter summit in Scotland.
The scheme encourages residents to take extra care of their street or an area they particularly value by volunteering to keep it litter-free.
Stewart Ball, Angus Council’s head of housing, said taxpayers will still get value for money.
He said: “The aim of the scheme is to enhance rather than replace the duties already carried out by the council.”
A similar scheme has already been successfully operating in Leith where 80 residents signed up to keep 60 streets clean. People will be able to sign up to the scheme from December 1 and Angus Council will provide litter picking materials.
Dealing with litter and fly-tipping costs more than £1 million of public money a week in Scotland.
An Adopt-a-street initiative has been launched by community groups waging war on litter louts in Angus.
The scheme encourages residents to take extra care of their street or an area they particularly value by volunteering to pick up the litter left by others.
People will be able to sign up to the Adopt-a-street scheme from December 1 and Angus Council will provide a litter picker and hoop to all volunteers.
The initiative was launched yesterday at the first community-led litter summit in Scotland which took place at Dundee and Angus College in Arbroath.
Wendy Murray from the East Haven Together group said: “There are several individuals across Angus who already clean places that are important to them – maybe their own street, a favourite walkway or a special place they visit.
“Establishing the scheme will recognise the work of these individuals and send out a strong message to the public about anti-littering.
“We would encourage as many people as possible to register and do their bit to help keep Angus clean.
“We have to stop blaming the council for litter and take personal responsibility. It is people who litter and there is never an excuse.
“We want every street and walkway in Angus to be adopted by a member of the public as it needs a critical mass to really make a difference.
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We would encourage as many people as possible to register and do their bit to help keep Angusclean
“We know that a number of people already go out and clean their own areas but this is not recorded anywhere and these people have to buy their own litter pickers and hoops.
“The scheme identifies where people are helping and supports them in their efforts.”
Volunteering will not reduce the amount of cleaning and recycling already being done by the council.
Dealing with litter and fly-tipping costs more than a million pounds of public money a week in Scotland.
A recent report from Keep Scotland Beautiful highlighted that environmental quality in Scotland is deteriorating and the level and pace of that deterioration is greater than ever before.
There are around 20 clean-up groups in Angus and many have signed the pledge with Clean Up Scotland, Clean Up Angus, Marine Conservation Society and the Green Dog Walkers Initiative.
Two community groups alone committed more than 1,000 hours of clean-up work during the last 12 months.
Angus Council have been encouraging this effort by raising awareness around litter issues and encouraging communities to take pride in their local environment.
However, there is a sense of frustration and despondency among individuals working to keep Angus and other areas across Scotland clean and green.
Mrs Murray said: “Some of them have said that they feel powerless in the face of increased littering and for the first time in years are wondering if they should bother continuing in their efforts.”
“The littering culture in Scotland has to change.”
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk