Annual litter-picking events in Wick have ‘made a huge difference’

Wick: Volunteers braved the rain for the last litter-pick of the Spring Clean Scotland campaign. Over the years, these events have really made a difference, as community councillors noted.

The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council is gearing up for another round of Spring Clean Scotland, which runs from March 21 to April 21 this year. This initiative is organized by Keep Scotland Beautiful, an environmental charity.

Allan Bruce, the vice-chairman of the community council, shared that this is their fourth year participating. He emphasized how much the town has improved thanks to these efforts. This year, they’re planning new initiatives to involve local businesses and schools, aiming to get even more people on board.

There’s been some talk about whether people feel they can litter more since volunteers are cleaning up regularly. Allan also mentioned that roadside litter in Caithness is a concern that volunteers can’t tackle alone.

In 2024, over 45,000 volunteers joined the Spring Clean Scotland campaign across all local authorities. In Wick, more than 150 people participated in three clean-up events, collecting nearly 250 bags of rubbish, which added up to about 318 hours of volunteer work.

Allan is excited about the growing momentum and wants to keep it going. Last September, he received a Clean Up Scotland Hero award for his dedication to keeping Wick clean. He also won £500 from the LitterLotto app, which he used to buy litter-pickers and rubbish-bag hoops for two primary schools.

A recent report showed that 72% of surveyed sites were littered, and 87% of people believe litter is a problem in Scotland. Barry Fisher, the chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, highlighted the widespread concern about litter but also noted the strong desire for action.

With this year marking the 25th anniversary of the charity, they’re aiming high and encouraging everyone to join in for the biggest and best Spring Clean yet.