East Perthshire thanked for National Spring Clean help

Jul 19 2012 by Katy Gordon, Blairgowrie Adv

OVER 3,500 people from Perth and Kinross –- including a number of groups in East Perthshire – have been thanked for their efforts during the National Spring Clean.

Around 3,666 residents were amongst 117,734 volunteers from across Scotland who took part in litter picks during April and May, backing the initiative run by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Community councils, schools, student volunteer groups, youth groups, businesses, Guides and Scouts, environmental trusts, council staff, and churches all pulled on their yellow Keep Scotland Tidy tabards and spent time cleaning up different locations during the two-month campaign.

The result of all the hard work is that 71 public gardens, school grounds, woodlands, nature reserves, rivers, villages and town centres in Perth and Kinross will be much cleaner and tidier for the summer.

Picking up thousands of discarded bottles, cans, crisp bags, cigarette ends and fast food wrappers, volunteers in Perth and Kinross also uncovered some more unusual items – these included clothes, shoes, CDs and some iron chains. Many groups also recycled the litter they collected this year, helping reduce the amount going to landfill and supporting Scotland’s zero waste targets.

Perth and Kinross Council's Environment Convener, Councillor Alan Grant said: “I am delighted that 3,666 people from Perth and Kinross came out in force to take part in National Spring Clean 2012, and I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has been involved.

“From businesses and community councils to schools and nurseries - the enthusiasm shown has been fantastic. By working to be cleaner, greener, safer and more sustainable, everyone who takes part in National Spring Clean is doing their bit to help to improve the environment.”

While National Spring Clean for 2012 may be over, people can still organise and take part in clean-up activities throughout the rest of the year.

Clean Up Kits can be ordered online at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/cleanupkit.