Improve places
Place
For material factors affecting whether someone litters the surrounding area can play a big role. The broken window theory tells as that an area already littered will encourage further litter. This means keeping our neighbourhoods clean will reduce littering. Looking after your local environment could include tasks such as litter picking, gardening, painting and there are plenty of groups doing just that.
- Keep Scotland Beautiful coordinates two initiatives supporting and recognising over 200 community groups across Scotland cleaning and beautifying their neighbourhoods through the Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network: It's Your Neighbourhood and Beautiful Scotland.
- Across Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful also supports Community Clean Up Hubs and Groups. These are individuals, groups, schools or businesses with equipment and knowledge to support your litter picks. You can find the hubs and groups near your on the Clean Up Scotland map. You can also add your own group or hub to join the network and be on the map through the online form.
- Britain in Bloom encourages community groups to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action. The Scottish entrants to this competition are provided by the Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative through the Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network.
- Some local authorities such as Angus Council and North Ayrshire have options to adopt a street whereby you can focus efforts in a specific area.
- Green Flag Award recognises parks and green spaces where excellent management is demonstrated, and environmental standards met.
- Scotland’s Beach Awards are given to beaches where excellent management and environmental best practice is demonstrated.
- Many schools work to keep their local environment clean as part of their work in the Eco-Schools programme.
- Many businesses work to keep their local environment clean through corporate litter picks.
- Individuals and community groups clean up their local area by litter picking (much more information on doing this is in the litter pick section, particularly local groups and support).
Bins
The most obvious material factor in the context of litter is bin provision. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as more bins cause less littering. Some studies show bins reduce littering while other examples show bins in place but littering still occurring. Others have shown the removal of bins has reduced littering. Therefore, bin provision is something to be considered on a case-by-case basis based on factors affecting whether someone is littering and the general perception of the area.
It's not only whether a bin is present or not that makes a difference; people are more likely to put their waste in the bin if they can see it, it is clean, it is in working order and has space. Ultimately, bins need to be well serviced otherwise it will put people off. A full bin will also likely lead to littering as people put items on or around a bin.
Lastly, there are lots of different types of bins and the choice of which to use should depend on the volume of waste, the types of items commonly needing disposal and the environment. Gulls and other animals, as well as windy conditions (such as at the coast), will mean an open bin won’t work as waste will escape. However, lids and handles (particularly if unclean) may not be used. There are now bins which can be more engaging or serve a specific purpose, wide mouthed bins have been used for disposing of roadside waste, ballot bins have been used to encourage people to use the bins to cast a vote. Similar to messaging, you should know the target audience for this sort of intervention.
The Community Litter Hub is delivered in partnership with:
