Getting drastic over plastic

Council backs community clean-up

Anyone who is keen to take part in a high-profile, antilitter campaign this weekend is being offered help by South Lanarkshire Council.

Recent international and national news has raised awareness of the damage caused to wildlife and the environment by the plastic material that is not being disposed of correctly.

Now, people all over Britain will be lending a hand to address the problem by taking part in a national event called The Great Plastic Pick Up.

The campaign is being run from Friday to Sunday this weekend (May 11 to 13) with the support of Keep Britain Tidy and endorsed by Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland.

South Lanarkshire Council is also keen to also support any local groups who wish to participate in the activities.

Alistair Mckinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds at the council, said: “We can provide groups with litter bags, litter sticks, hi-vis waistcoats and gloves –although people will need to return the litter sticks and hi-vis waistcoats to us so they are available for others in similar situations in the future, as well as for our own employees to be able to carry out their work.

“If required, we can also arrange for the uplift of any plastic collected, and any groups or individuals who require any assistance in this campaign from the council can contact grounds services on 0303 123 1020.”

The Great Plastic Pick Up also coincides with Keep Scotland Beautiful’s ongoing Clean Up Scotland campaign to build community pride and make Scotland the cleanest country in Europe.

Anyone who wishes to take part in The Great Plastic Pick Up should register their interest at greatplasticpickup.org, while the campaign can also be contacted by email on greatplasticpickup@ keepbritaintidy.org for further information.

Council chiefs recently announced that they are cracking down on singleuse items – like plastic straws and cutlery – that are damaging the environment.