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Litter League launched for young people to compete for clean up glory

08 March 2023

Young people across Scotland are being encouraged to help tackle the Litter Emergency and compete for clean up glory

We are launching a Litter League this month as part of the annual Spring Clean campaign.

The Litter League is an opportunity for young people to take part in Spring Clean Scotland while also competing against others to become a champion.

We have also partnered with Play Scotland as part of their Litter Pick and Play programme linking the climate crisis with the play crisis. From natural disasters to everyday issues, public spaces are often unwelcoming and unsafe for children to play in. Children who are already disadvantaged by disability, poverty, and other factors, are disproportionately affected by the environment.

There are seven awards to be won all over the country as young people compete to be Litter League winners.

The seven awards available are: National Spring Clean Champion; Aberdeen and North – East Spring Clean Champion; Tayside, Central and Fife Spring Clean Champion; Glasgow and Strathclyde Spring Clean Champion; Edinburgh and Lothian Spring Clean Champion; Highlands and Islands Spring Clean Champion and Scotland South Spring Clean Champion.

Only clean ups taking place between 13 March and 31 March will be counted as entries for the Litter League. Schools, nurseries, youth groups, uniformed youth groups, after school care, children’s play groups and children’s community groups can enter.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, winners will scoop a #SpringCleanScotland trophy to keep for one year, receive Clean Up Champion rewards and those who are also entering the Play Scotland: Litter Pick and Play will receive a certificate of participation to display and be entered into a prize draw to win £100 worth of vouchers.

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “We are so excited to be launching the inaugural Litter League as part of this year’s Spring Clean.

“Young people across the country have always been committed to protecting the environment and I am sure the Litter League will strengthen this interest.

“We are facing a Litter Emergency in Scotland and we need everyone to get involved. Last year we saw thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves across more than 100 events and this year we want to do even better.

“This exciting and fun campaign is a perfect way to get young people of all ages involved and, with some terrific prizes and bragging rights on offer, we can’t wait to celebrate our league champions.”

Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO of Play Scotland, said: “Children have a right to outdoor play spaces that are clean and welcoming.

“The Litter Pick and Play Project empowers children and young people to improve local play spaces for their benefit and that of the whole community.

“Their message is clear: ‘We have a right to cleaner spaces to play, and by working together we can create better places for everyone in the community- so join in if you can.’

“This project is a great way to support children’s right to play and invest in the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

Anyone who would like to organise a litter pick with friends, family, workmates or the community, or find one to join, can visit Spring Clean 2023 | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information.

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