Primary pupils launched the big Clean Aberdeen campaign today, Thursday, March 21 and enthusiastic youngsters from across the city will be leading the way in action against litter and mess.
The Kittybrewster School pupils organised and held a special event in the Beach Ballroom with a discussion and questions to key policy and decision-makers in the city.
The panel included Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Jenny Laing, Evening Express editor Craig Walker, Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson and Sport Aberdeen director of community leisure operations David Selkirk.
Cllr Laing said: “We frequently see litter when we are out and about, on the way to school, at the sports pitches, out walking the dog, on the road side, and even up some of Scotland’s highest mountains.
“Clearing this mess costs money - Aberdeen City Council spends more than £4m every year clearing litter from Aberdeen’s streets and open spaces. This is money we’d much rather spend on our parks and other green spaces.
“Our Clean Up Aberdeen campaign is aiming to involve everyone who lives, works, or visits our beautiful city to take action against litter and mess. We want everyone not to litter as it’s unsightly and costs the taxpayer money, and, if you can, help us by organising or taking part in litter picks as unfortunately, our staff cannot be everywhere at the same time to clean up mess. Clean Ups are great fun and quickly transform an area.
“A clean environment is great for both residents and visitors and taking the lead from our school pupils who are enthusiastic about their local environment if we all work together, we can make a difference.”
This year’s campaign will be fronted by several schools undertaking a range of litter focussed challenges, events and local campaigns. There are also dozens of community-minded people, ranging from work places to schools to groups. which hold litter picks around the year, and their contribution is invaluable.
The scheduled events include all the big dates in the Clean Up calendar - Great British Spring Clean, Clean Up Scotland Spring Clean, Clean Up Europe, 24hour Litter Pick, and the Great British Beach Clean.
People are encouraged not to make a mess in the first place, whether by littering or fly-tipping items such as discarded furniture.
Anyone wanting to dispose of household items can take items to their local city recycling centre or find out how to get large items collected from www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/bins-and-recycling, or the www.recyclenow.com website also has details of charities which pick up large items.
As part of the campaign, people are also encouraged to take part by tidying up somewhere important to their area, somewhere important for wildlife, or areas of land which are not regularly cleared of litter. They would also help free their community of litter and graffiti, report incidents of flytipping and responsibly dispose of litter and mess in their area.
Black bin bags, litter picking tongs, gloves and high-vis vests can be provided for free for litter-picks and the City Council’s Environmental Services will uplift any rubbish collected.
People or groups wanting to take part should register via www.cleanupscotland.com/pledge. For more details, or to get help organising an event in the city, call 01224 219281 or email cleanaberdeen@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Enthusiastic youngsters leading the way in encouraging people not to litter