Zero Waste Scotland campaign starts to protect Highlands
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As Scotland opens its doors to a relaunched tourist season, Zero Waste Scotland is launching a new campaign highlighting the country’s natural beauty and wildlife.
The campaign urges visitors not to spoil the Highlands & Islands by littering when they’re enjoying the delights of the area's parks, countryside and camp sites.
The publicly-funded organisation's Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way aims to inspire people getting out and about to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving litter, reminding them they should either bin litter or take it home.
The campaign is backed by the Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful.
"Local businesses and the tourism industry in general across Scotland are counting on an increase in trade to support them through what are difficult economic times. Scotland’s unspoilt scenery plays a vital role in encouraging people to enjoy our country and support businesses, but this can only happen if areas of beauty remain in their original pristine state," said Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland chief.
“People are understandably keen to enjoy everything Scotland has to offer as the summer holidays stretch out in front of us.
“This opportunity to get outdoors is great news. If you are camping, exercising, having a barbecue or just enjoying the scenery, have fun and bin what you don’t need or take it with you.
"Go home with happy memories and leave the place so others can do the same. We know Scotland is stunning, let’s keep it that way!”
The campaign is being rolled out across social media channels over the summer holidays for five weeks across the country.
Partners and community groups are encouraged to download the free campaign toolkit, which includes digital tools and posters is available for partners who want to get the message to daytrippers and staycationers to bin litter or take it home.
As well as creating eyesores, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can also be a danger for young children and animals. Plastic can be ingested by animals and it is estimated that 80% of marine litter started out on land.
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “We welcome this new campaign highlighting the beauty of Scotland and all it has to offer.
Litter levels across Scotland are unacceptable, and in many places are getting much worse.
"Alongside this campaign we will continue to offer support to all those who have already stepped up to tackle this problem in their own communities with litter clean ups and projects to improve and protect the places they care about.”
The campaign can be followed on social media at #BinYourLitter
To download the campaign toolkit, or further details please visit managingourwaste.scot/litter
