Tackling #lockdownlitter

Tackling #lockdownlitter - Keep Scotland Beautiful

orking to reduce the impact of the ‘lockdown effect’ on communities

The challenging events of the last few months provided an opportunity for all of us to spend more time in our local area, limited in our ability to travel, taking our daily exercise in local green and open spaces, and having time to appreciate and value the places we live.

However, these events also created a unique opportunity to reflect on the declining environmental fabric of our communities, to notice the litter, dog fouling and flytipping that we might otherwise have passed by, to be enraged at the selfish actions of our fellow citizens and to consider how we might make a difference.

As lockdown restrictions have eased we have witnessed the large scale trashing of beauty spots like sites in Loch Lomond national park and major parks such as Glasgow’s Kelvingrove and The Meadows in Edinburgh which have stirred national anger. However, we also know that, as a result of national polling we commissioned in June, individuals and communities across Scotland are seriously concerned that there has been a ‘lockdown effect’ that has caused further environmental damage to their local area, particularly with regard to levels of litter, dog fouling and flytipping. Unfortunately, there is the very real possibility that this could get even worse with the further easing of restrictions, the tourism industry reopening and more people being able to meet up in larger groups outdoors.

Keep Scotland Beautiful has been positive and proactive in engaging and collaborating with partners and communities to minimise the impact of this ‘lockdown effect’, preventing the situation from getting worse through a number of on-going projects.

Going forward, we have an opportunity to have a serious conversation about how we work together to protect and enhance the places that matter to us all Keep Scotland Beautiful will be creating opportunities for individuals, community groups, public organisations and businesses to tell us what they think about the condition of their local area and what advice and support they need to make a difference locally.

If you have any questions or comments please get in touch: cleanup@keepscotlandbeautiful.org