Alex Rowley MSP has backed a campaign from Keep Scotland Beautiful to tackle the problem of roadside litter in Scotland.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mr Rowley gave his backing to the campaign at an event organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful outside the Scottish Parliament. The charity have launched a national campaign to clean up Scotland’s roadsides. With 88% of Scottish adults agreeing that roadside litter creates a negative impression of Scotland, the campaign aims to tackle the behaviour which is ruining the view for visitors and domestic road users alike.
Recent litter monitoring by the charity has revealed that over 96% of Scotland’s main roads and iconic routes are affected by litter. In addition, during 2016, 52% of Scottish adults have seen someone throw litter from a vehicle and not pick it up. The campaign is urging road users to take personal responsibility for their litter, encouraging them to give their litter a lift, and take it home.
Mr Rowley said:
“We definitely have a problem with littering in Scotland. We have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and it is a shame that some people choose to litter. I would encourage everybody to make sure not to litter. When travelling some people have a tendency to throw litter out the window, but I would urge people to take responsibility and ensure that they take their litter home, or keep it in the car until you can put it in a bin. I am glad Keep Scotland Beautiful are running this campaign, and I hope that it has an impact on the levels of littering on our roads.”
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:
“As a direct response to our country’s roadside litter problem, we have launched this campaign with a wide range of stakeholders including industry, the public sector and charities, and we are very grateful for Alex Rowley’s support. We recognise that to tackle this disgusting and illegal habit, we all need to work in partnership, to raise awareness of the problem of throwing litter from a vehicle, and to trial innovative solutions to change current littering behaviours.
“The message is simple – give your litter a lift, take it home!”
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:
“VisitScotland aims to make Scotland a sustainable destination through promoting environmental accreditation and practices to all tourism businesses. We welcome the launch of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s new campaign to cut down the amount of litter on our roadsides and to help ensure that this country remains a hugely attractive destination to visitors from all over the world.”
