EK,EastKilbridebossesaskshoppersandretailerstoplaytheirpart
Lanarkshire drive-thru customers are being urged to take their litter home to prevent lockdown litter.
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful has joined forces with fast-food chain McDonald’s and Costa Coffee to encourage customers to put their takeaway litter in the bin, or take it home.
As lockdown restrictions have eased there has been evidence of selfish and irresponsible behaviour by those who consume food and drink on-thego and litter their waste.
In a bid to tackle this over 100 McDonald’s and Costa drive thru restaurants in Scotland will display campaign material urging customers not to chuck their litter, but to ‘give it a lift’ and take it home.
Paul Wallace, Campaign and Social Innovation Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “Images of litter left strewn by our roadsides, and spoiling our parks, beaches and beauty spots have upset people across Scotland in recent weeks, with many taking to social media to share their disgust.
“By joining us in calling for their customers to do the right thing and bin their litter or take it home, Costa and McDonald’s are taking an important step towards nudging people to collectively tackle litter at source and protect the places that matter to us all.”
Helen McFarlane, McDonald’s Senior Sustainability Consultant added: ”We are pleased to partner with Keep Scotland Beautiful on this campaign to remind our customers that whilst our dining areas remain closed, they should follow the clear message, to take their litter home.”
Costa Coffee hopes that the simple message behind the campaign encourages everyone to do the right thing, a spokesperson said: “Costa Coffee is proud to partner with Keep Scotland Beautiful to remind consumers to dispose of their litter responsibly. We continually strive to serve the communities in which we operate, so in order to protect and preserve our local environments, we want to remind people to take their litter home with them.”
Find out more about how you can take action on litter at:www. keepscotlandbeautiful.org
FRASER WILSON
Bosses at EK, East Kilbride have asked everyone to play their part in the fight against coronavirus.
We told you last week how the shopping centre is due to reopen next Monday (July 13).
Since then, it has been announced that face masks will be compulsory in all Scottish shops from Friday.
That led to the First Minister urging shoppers not to wait but to get into the habit of covering their faces right away – something centre bosses in East Kilbride agree with.
A spokesman for the centre told us: “The announcement about face coverings in shops represents another move by the Scottish government to reduce the spread of coronavirus as we move towards phase 3.
“We’d ask all those visiting the centre to be mindful of the new rules, and thank shoppers and retailers for following the new guidelines and for their patience, understanding and support during these challenging times.”
The centre is preparing to welcome more visitors after the relaxing of lockdown restrictions.
In line with Phase 3 of the government’s four phase coronavirus route-map, nonessential retailers will – from Monday – be allowed to reopen their doors within indoor shopping centres.
In preparation, the centre team has been working with retailers to introduce a series of measures designed to keep everyone visiting and working at the centre safe at all times.
Clear and simple safe distancing guidelines have been introduced, many of which will already be familiar to shoppers who have visited supermarkets in recent months.
A one-way system will be in operation throughout the centre, with increased signage in place and the centre team will be managing the number of customers allowed on the mall at one time to allow social distancing measures to be safely followed.
Touch points have been reduced as much as possible and there will be no seating throughout the malls. All touch point areas will be cleaned regularly and hand sanitising stations are installed for shoppers to use throughout the centre.
The spokesman added: “We have followed Scottish government guidelines since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and in line with this advice has implemented, with retailers, a number of measures to keep employees and shoppers safe.
“Retailers are responsible for hygiene and social distancing measures within their shops and will be operating in line with their company policies.
“Stores will have socially distanced queuing systems, with some shops also operating one-way entry and exit systems.”
“Many of the measures we have in place at the centre will now already be familiar to our customers..