The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tory plan to clean up Scotland by fining litter louts £100.
POLICY: Party also proposes plastics recycling plant and Green Cities plan
The Tories have proposed Scotland have the toughest default fines for littering in the UK.
They have called for on-the-spot penalties for anyone caught dropping rubbish to be upped to £100.
Scottish Conservative environment spokesman Maurice Golden said increasing the fines would be “one way to make people stop and think before just throwing something away”.
There has been no increase in the penalties for littering in Scotland since 2013, with the level currently set at £80. In England, fines range from £50 to £150.
The Scottish Tories announced plans to increase the default fine at the same time as the party revealed plans to build a new plastics recycling plant, along with a new Green Cities action plan.
With some plastic waste being exported from Scotland, the Conservatives argued building a recycling plant would help reduce waste and create jobs.
Meanwhile, a Green Cities plan would see masses of trees planted in cities, the creation of more allotments and the establishment of school farms, allowing youngsters to grow their own fruit and veg.
Speaking about the proposals, Mr Golden said: “Litter is a blight on our landscape and our communities, and it is clear from recent research that the problem is actually getting worse.
“A small minority are spoiling Scotland’s streets, parks and countryside for the law-abiding majority.
“Increasing the default fine for littering is one way to make people stop and think before just throwing something away.
“This significant fine for littering is also a proportionate punishment for anyone who is caught.”
He added: “We all need to be more conscious of the waste we create and the importance of recycling.
“A Scottish plastic recycling plant would help to recycle a valuable resource, create jobs and help to ensure that no plastics from Scotland end up polluting our oceans.
“Evidence shows that where streets are clean they are kept clean and we need to send a strong signal to those who are littering that this is completely unacceptable.”
“One way to make people stop and think