Talking rubbish leads to call for emergency litter summit
A summit of community councillors, education chiefs and town groups to discuss the escalating problem of litter in and around Oban should be held at the earliest opportunity.
That was the unanimous view of everyone in attendance at Oban Community Council’s monthly meeting last week when the shocking state of the town’s paths and beauty spots was highlighted.
Keep Oban Beautiful campaigner and community council member Maurice Wilkins is urging members of the public to set an example.
‘One thing I noticed when reading some of the Facebook comments was that people were intent on blaming the council for not cleaning up the town,’ he said.
‘I would suggest that perhaps we are looking at it the wrong way.
‘We are doing nothing to encourage people not to throw litter in the first place and unless we do something about that it will never change. One of the places we need to start is schools.
‘I’m not blaming the children for this, but the children of today are the adults of tomorrow and if we could inject something into the curriculum on social responsibility then it would be a good start.’
Fast-food packaging, sweet wrappers, drinks cans and bottles were among the most common litter spotted around the town and surrounding areas.
Mr Wilkins is one of many volunteers who spend a great deal of their own time picking it up and disposing of it, something that was endorsed by a member of the public at last week’s meeting.
‘Years ago we used to all take responsibility for the areas outside our own homes,’ said Anne. ‘If we could install that ethos again, the knock-on effect would be tremendous.’
Lack of signs, bins and council resources were also cited as part of the problem and Oban South councillor Roddy McCuish admitted Argyll and Bute Council also had a part to play in the cleanup. ‘As a council we have a large part to play in keeping Oban tidy and I will continue to push for this problem to be addressed,’ he said. ‘The area committee would be more than happy to facilitate a summit, led by the community council, and work alongside various groups.
‘I like the idea of a ‘get ready for summer’ campaign with a combined effort and events involving various groups and businesses around the town and, of course, the council.’
Details of the summit will be released in due course.