Zero Waste Scotland is teaming up with a local authority to combat litter prevention.
Working with Fife Council, they are encouraging organisations to prevent litter which is spoiling the area, writes Imogen Lovie.
Organisations and businesses across all of Fife are invited to take part in the new initiative to tackle litter at the source and reduce its impact on the community.
The scheme supports organisations and businesses to change behaviours and attitudes towards litter and fly tipping among their staff, customers, service users, volunteers and anyone they know. It provides a unique opportunity for all organisations to get involved and create a positive impact on Fife’s litter and everyone’s way of looking at it.
Zero Waste Scotland have launched a new partnership approach to prevent litter
Participants of the initiative will pledge a set of actions to help prevent litter and fly-tipping. These could be as simple as putting posters up to discourage littering, storing waste correctly and making sure any outside areas are cleared of litter. They will receive lots of free support from zero waste scotland to deliver their plans and are encouraged to share their success with organisations across Fife.
The amount of litter discarded (15,000 tonnes in Scotland) has a large impact on Scotland’s environment, economy, communities and dealing with litter, flytipping costs more than £50 million a year in public money local authority and tax payers. Local economies and businesses also suffer from the effects of litter as a business’ reputation can be damaged when its products or packaging are the cause of littering.
Councillor Ross Vettraino, convener, environment protective services and community safety committee at Fife Council, encouraged all local organisations to get involved.
He said: ‘Litter prevention is all about having the right attitude. Every single piece of litter has been deliberately thrown away by an irresponsible member of the public. If someone cares for the environment and doesn’t want to see public money wasted, they wouldn’t throw litter away, but would do the simple thing and place it in a litter bin or take it home with them.
Keeping the streets clean is the plan of Zero Waste Scotland
‘Litter prevention is much more effective than removing litter after it has been created, which is why I am encouraging all organisations and businesses to develop Litter Prevention Action Plans and help to lead the fight against litter in Fife.’
Urging organisations in Fife to get involved and help cut out litter, David Barnes, programme manager for litter and fly tipping, Zero Waste Scotland, added: ‘It is clear that litter picking and cleaning alone is not a long-term solution to tackling litter in Fife. That’s why we’re calling on local organisations to take the lead and prevent litter at its source.
‘I look forward to working with the fantastic businesses and organisations throughout Fife and supporting them to keep the area clean, prosperous and looking great.’
Organisations in Fife are encouraged to find out more and sign up to the initiative at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/litter-flytipping/prevention-action-plans or email litterandflytipping@zerowastescotland.org.uk
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