Litter pickers across the Highlands prepare to spring into action

Across the Highlands over 3000 volunteers are gearing up to take part in more than 60 community clean ups as part of National Spring Clean 2010.

Organised by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Scotland-wide annual month long blitz on litter is supported in Highland by the Council.  TEC Services staff will assist groups of volunteers by supplying bags, gloves, litter pickers and removing all the bags of litter collected.

Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing said:  “All the volunteers taking part are to be very commended in taking practical action to clean up litter from their neighbourhoods.  Families, schools, community groups, environmental organisations and businesses have all taken up the challenge to do something to improve the cleanliness of their local areas.

“This year we have the highest number of people taking part than even before which shows people really care about their communities. Litter is unsightly, dangerous to others and with the tourist season about to start we want to ensure visitors can enjoy our stunning scenery without the blight of carelessly discarded rubbish.  The council will be giving support to any group that wishes to clean up an area of ground, a local beach or even a country walk in their neighbourhood and I would encourage as many people as possible to turn out and lend a hand for a few hours work that really will make a difference.” 

The Highland Council’s Leader Michael Foxley added:  As a council, tackling the problem of litter is very high up our agenda, to improve the environment and landscape as well as saving money.  The national spring clean month is a very positive way to focus attention on the issue. We want to strongly support the effort of community volunteers by working with Northern Constabulary and our own Enforcement Officers to ensure the message is driven home that littering is a serious offence.”

In 2009 National Spring Clean events across Scotland filled enough black sacks of litter to fill 28,819 standard wheelie bins. 

National Spring Clean will take place throughout Scotland from 1st – 30th April 2010. Any groups not yet registered who would like to take part should contact TEC Services on 01463 702537

30 Mar 2010