Community urged to ‘make it happen’

Community groups, businesses and schools across Angus were urged to develop a litter prevention action plan (LPAP) at yesterday’s summit.

The initiative was outlined at the event which brought together the likes of local businesses, schools, farmers, politicians, Zero Waste Scotland, Angus Council, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Marine Scotland and the Marine Conservation Society.

Angus fishing village Easthaven has developed its own community litter prevention action plan. Locals said it had been “an empowering process”.

Wendy Murray from community group East Haven Together said: “It has helped residents prioritise challenges locally, identify the source of littering and put plans in place to prevent it.

“The plan also details clean-up schedules and provides recognition and legitimacy for the work carried out by the community.

“We want to see all community organisations, businesses and schools across Angus develop LPAPS as we believe that only collective action at this level will make an impact on littering.”

Zero Waste Scotland is also promoting the introduction of the litter plans in local communities.

Individual plans can be tailored to include actions which are relevant to the organisations involved, and which can be carried out in partnership with other national and local priorities and initiatives.

Cath Wilson from Zero Waste Scotland said there was a need for a “long-term, preventative approach to litter and fly-tipping prevention”.

Other speakers included Susanne Austin from Angus Council’s waste management services who talked about the work the authority is doing to support community groups, prevent littering and deal with the consequences of it.

The summit concluded with Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World as roses were given out with the message Let’s Make It Happen.