http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.orgScotland's environmental charityKeep Scotland Beautiful: All Rights Reserved.en-gbhttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=87*more*
The CSV Action Earth campaign is running from May to November, supported by SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage). The 2012 campaign offers grants up to £500 to cover plants, materials, tools and expenses and can make a big difference to an event.

1. CSV Action Earth Awards are grants of £250 for projects who are providing or improving habitats for wildlife, enhancing local nature spots and getting communities volunteering together.

2. CSV Local Nature Reserve Awards of up to £500 are available exclusively for projects taking place on Local Nature Reserves (LNR).

Last year, CSV Action Earth volunteers were involved in tasks such as improving woodlands by planting and clearing, turning derelict wasteland into bee-friendly wildflower meadows, creating ponds and footpaths, building bird and bat boxes, tagging sharks and a whole range of other environmental activities. We are keen to help projects and groups attract new volunteers to their work.

Grants will be allocated on a first come first serve basis, so please register quickly. Projects can apply NOW. You can apply online, download forms or get more information at CSV Action Earth 2012.

If you wish to discuss project ideas or discuss any issues relating to the campaign, please contact Robert Henderson at CSV on 0131 222 9083.

Get involved and help make a difference to your local environment!]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=87Thu, 17 May 2012 09:48:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=86National Spring Clean campaign.
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In association with Highland Council and Keep Scotland Beautiful, the tidying team armed themselves with bags and littergrabs and headed off to scour the village and rid it of litter. One enthusiastic volunteer even donned a pair of thigh-length waders and gave the local burn a thorough cleaning.

Representatives from the village's businesses were out in forces as well as villagers and local children. And, because of their endeavours, Carrbridge is now living up to its reputation as being the jewel of the Cairngorms.

Organiser Roy Brown was pleased with the turnout for the litterpick, now in its third year. He said: “I was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the adults and kids who helped. Of course we were spurred on by the reward of a tasty treat kindly provided again by Asher's Bakery.”]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=86Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=85*more*
But how do you find out which plastic bottles can be placed in your recycling box? Simply check out www.recycleforscotland.com and go to the ‘Recycling Directory’ tab. First, type in your postcode, next your Local Authority and select ‘Plastic Bottles.’ Click search and you’ll be able to see exactly what type of plastic bottles are kerbside collected from your recycling box in your area.

Zero Waste Scotland figures show that a whopping 88% of Scottish councils now offer a plastic bottle collection service for households, yet the actual percentage of plastic bottles collected is a measly 26%! Recycle Week 2012 takes place from 18–24 June and hopes to increase that figure, but it’s not too early to start now.

And it’s not just at home that you can make a difference. There are an ever increasing number of recycling points throughout Scotland where you can recycle products from plastic bottles to paper. For locations of main local Recycling Centres and what materials they take, see www.recycleforscotland.com. Go through the same process as before, but click on the Recycling Centres and points tab after you’ve hit search.

Want to cut out plastic bottles altogether when you are out and about? Reusable (and sometimes recycled reusable) drinks bottles can be bought from Outdoor Stores or even your local supermarket. These help cut down on the environmental impact of plastic whenever you are on the road. Plus, they could save you a small fortune shelling out for multiple plastic bottles of water. I worked out I saved a huge £200 a year having my own reusable drinks bottle, particularly poignant at what seems like a universal time of belt tightening.

So help make plastic truly fantastic and check out www.recycleforscotland.com and get Recycle Week 2012 off to a great early start. ]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=85Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:15:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=84
The official bathing season in Scotland lasts from 1st June to 15th September, but the warm and settled weather often experienced in Scotland in April and May can sometimes be the catalyst for that first trip to the beach. It’s only the very brave or foolhardy who’ll take to the water without a wetsuit though!

The winter storms wash up a lot of debris on the strandline and a number of years ago I took up the example of a friend to try to make a point of picking up at least two bits of litter each time I visit a beach. If it’s a couple of cans, all the better as they can be recycled thus cutting down my carbon footprint. Plus, my more selfish motive is that it means one less can to cut my feet when I’m walking barefoot!

It’s great to see so many coastal groups, communities and businesses have registered for the National Spring Clean 2012, so we can look forward to some super clean beaches for a while at least. Visit the National Spring Clean website to Sign Up


You can join the conversation on twitter by using #NationalSpringClean


By Tim

]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=84Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:38:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=83
Not content with litter picking from the shore, the canoeists (and dog!) who are all part of the Song of the Paddle canoeing group, took to their boats to access island areas and hard to reach spots. Between them they managed to collect two tonnes of rubbish – mainly bottles and cans and plastics – but also unearthed car tyres, golf balls and discarded bikes.
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The event organisers Robbie Weir and John Kelly explained what the group did:

Day 1: 31st March at Barr Loch
The RSPB were letting us loose on this loch again to clear away the rubbish. From being a little reluctant at first they are now very happy to let us get stuck in.

The mess left by the fishermen who use this loch (no boating or canoeing is allowed) is unbelievable. Away from the area the fishermen tend to use, we are seeing a year on year improvement with less rubbish to cart away each year.

We split into two groups and worked a side each. The top end of the loch was not too bad but as we reached the sections used by the fishermen the amount of rubbish increased considerably. We knew we were hitting the bad areas when we found a ladder!

To keep everyone going, we had a slap up barbecue lunch, and later a 'curry supper' social - so the warm feeling inside could have been the food, the moral satisfaction or the aching muscles!

Day 2: 1st April at Castle Semple Loch
This loch has had clean ups for a few years now and we are seeing a difference with this too. There is always new rubbish but we are managing to get all the new stuff and much of the older. This year at last, we finally managed to dig out the traffic cone that has been frustrating us for years.

The first job today was to give the Aird Meadow a clean and recover the RSPB's boat that they had misplaced. It was not the easiest thing to paddle as we soon found out. Once that was back in the right place it was onto the regular rubbish. At first we didn’t find much, but then we hit a hidden fishermans' poaching camp where we cleaned the rubbish as well as the camp chairs.

After lunch, complete with a batch of tablet made the night before, we headed over to the river mouth to clear the bund and drainage ditches. We managed to fill our canoes for a second time while others collected rusting bicycles.

By the end of the day we had not only filled a skip but had enough by the side to half fill the one coming the next day.

We do the clean ups to put something back, but that is really not needed as an incentive. These are great days with great company. The banter and competition to find the most / best rubbish is something to behold and we're already looking forward to next years’ clean ups.]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=83Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:57:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=82
The event was featured in the Falkirk Herald and the aim of the event was to show people that by doing a little they can all make a big difference
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The Hallglen South Litter pick started at 12noon with three people in attendance; later in the day we were joined by a fourth member of the community, a young boy of eight who recovered his own wee bag of litter.

Armed with litter bags and equipment provided by Falkirk Council we quickly set to work on our litter blitz of the area between Nairn Ct shop and the Farm on The New Hallglen Road - in two hours we had collected five bags of rubbish between us and cleared the paths.

A second round of the litter pick resumed at 2.30pm when three of us got together and cleared the area between Culmore place and the footpath to the Union Canal. Here we filled a further seven bags of assorted litter, and recovered a variation of items from the banks of the Glen burn including a car battery, fuel tank, scooter, trampoline, a television , two garden chairs and two traffic cones.

At the end of the day we were faced with another challenge – how to move the litter back to the collection point for the council. We were very inventive in our approach, and developed some tools for the trade from a host of everyday items …a wheelie bin became our trolley to move the black bags, we converted a trolley jack into a waste receptacle, the litter cones were used as a prop for the photos, and the black recycling bin became a ladder.

The people involved had a great time and I would like to thank them all for their help.

If you would like to get involved in regular litter picks please get in touch via National Spring Clean]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=82Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:45:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=80*more*
15 excited and eager pupils from the eco-club at Towerbank Primary school in Portobello turned up to show Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and our Chief Execuitve Derek Robertson their skills with litter pickers.

Suzanne, our lovely litter & flytipping team leader, led the games which saw six teams racing against each other to clean up Portobello beach of it's cardboard, cans and plastic bottles (which we had secretly placed all over the sand 10 minutes before they arrived).

The beach was returned to its pristine state and, while the sun sparkled on the sea, the kids all enjoyed their well earnt caramel shortcake donated by Greggs and juice donated by the council.

Mr Lochhead seemed very impressed by the childrens knowledge of recycling, and praised them for leading the way in encouraging people from across Scotland to take part in National Spring Clean.

Thank you Towerbank Primary for your enthusiasm and dedication!]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=80Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:52:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=79
I was going to help the Govanhill Residents Association – a group of volunteers working hard to improve the area where they live. One particular street, Annette Street, was set for a make-over thanks to a small flytipping grant which was awarded by Zero Waste Scotland in the autumn last year.

Despite Glasgow City Council operating a weekly bulky uplift service and all tenement closes having signs explaining these procedures flytipping still occurs several times a week in the front gardens and adjoining pavements of Annette Street in the Govanhill area of Glasgow. Domestic refuse, unwanted furniture, and white goods are regularly left in derelict gardens, on the pavement and by the side of the road. While some of this waste originates from the properties on the street it is thought that much is also being brought in from other parts of the city and flytipped here.

As Keep Scotland Beautiful administered the flytipping grant scheme for Zero Waste Scotland, I was keen to see how the volunteers were getting on so that I could write up a case study to help others hoping to tackle flytipping in their own areas.

On arrival I was shocked to see waste lining the pavement – at least four sofas, a fridge freezer, carpet and underlay, general waste, wood, skirting boards – all in ‘neat’ piles along the street. And to be told by the volunteers that Glasgow City Council had uplifted a similar volume just the previous week was soul destroying.

But the volunteers, approximately 25 local residents of a variety of backgrounds, all pulled together to tackle the problem. Donning their yellow tabards, a number of volunteers got stuck into litter picking, with equipment donated by Keep Scotland Beautiful through Big Lottery funding in 2011. Others started to dig the claggy soil that had obviously not been turned over for years. I was happy to see that there were plenty of juicy worms beneath the surface – hopefully they will help when the area is planted up.

Some of the volunteers started to dig holes for new fence posts, while others hammered away to construct new low fences to border the gardens. Once fenced in some of the front gardens will be laid with wood chip for ease of maintenance, while others will be planted with indigenous plants and shrubs.

I was then taken to a haven of peace behind a row of tenements near-by where South Seeds,a project supported by the Climate Challenge Fund, was roping in yet further volunteers to construct raised beds– some of which will be placed in these front gardens. I tried my hand at hammering the largest nails I have ever seen in to chunks of wood, (and my forearm still hurts two days later), and with a lot of help, was pleased to be rewarded by seeing a completed raised bed – ready to be relocated and filled with plants. After this, Robin, who was supervising, revealed the biscuit tin and we had a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit. Happiness is eating a chocolate biscuit while watching the bees buzz around the other newly planted raised beds!

Whether the project solves the problem of flytipping on this street or not, it will certainly leave a legacy, the volunteers are making a difference, the residents are interacting with each other, the local primary school eco-committee is adopting two of the improved gardens, and there is a definite feeling of pride and a stoic determination.

I was happy to have been involved, just for a little while and to see at least three of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s programmes in action, working together to make an impact. I enjoyed meeting everyone, spending a Saturday in the sun making a difference, and I will certainly always remember why I am not a joiner!

By Suzanne Roberts
]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=79Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:56:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=78
It’s not just a great day today weather wise as the thrice daily check of National Spring Clean volunteer numbers revealed another momentous milestone had been hit with over 50,000 volunteers now registered to clean up their favourite part of Scotland between 1st April and 31st May 2012!

50,000 volunteers is a quarter of the way towards achieving our target of 200,000 so a big THANK YOU for everyone who has registered already!

If you’d like to help keep your favourite part of Scotland shining clean there is still plenty of time to join in with a clean up already taking place or to register and organise your own.

By selecting your local authority, city, town or village on the Clean Up Map you can see if there is a clean up event going on near you. Full contact details of the event and organisers are provided so it’s simple to join in.

If there is not a clean up going on in your neck of woods why not register one? Keep Scotland Beautiful supply free clean up kits, plus Greggs are kindly supplying free edible treats for participating groups!

Check out for full details of the National Spring Clean campaign and how to register.

P.S. Female, over 35 and part of a clean-up project in your local area?

We’re working with a women’s monthly magazine to feature how women can bring their community together and make it a better pace. If you fit the description above and would like to be considered for the feature please email juliette.camburn@ksbscotland.org.uk by 9am on Monday 26th March with some information about yourself, your clean-up work and a picture.



By Tim Mullens

]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=78Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:17:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=77
Well it has more than a little to do with these guys!

The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) is Scotland’s oldest independent environmental body. Formed to address concerns about damage to Scotland’s rural areas by uncontrolled and indiscriminate development, it has demonstrated throughout how to “Protect by Persuasion” by using apolitical advice and education to help government, politicians, communities and individuals balance the developments within local communities against the protection of the landscapes for which Scotland is rightly famous.

1926 – F C Mears wrote a letter to the Scotsman suggesting the formation of APRS (initially called Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland).

1931 – After two years of hard work and difficult politics on 1 May the National Trust for Scotland was formally constituted with Kenneth Ferguson, organising secretary of APRS as first secretary of the NTS. The founding chair of APRS, Sir John Stirling Maxwell, donated the first property, Crookston Castle, to the NTS.

1939 – APRS founded the Scottish Federation of out-of-doors Organisations (including hikers, campers and cyclists) and produced a camping code and proposed a Countryside Warden scheme.

1940-1942 – APRS, recorded buildings in case they were destroyed in hostilities, using established artists including Sir D Y Cameron, E S Lumsden and J McIntosh Patrick. In 1942 this became the National Building Record Council for Scotland.

1942 – In January APRS invited thirty organisations to a conference on National Parks in Scotland; as a result the Scottish Council for National Parks was formed.

1943 – A Bill setting up the North of Scotland Hydro-electric Board was passed and APRS was instrumental in lobbying to mitigate rural impact and the incorporation of an amenity and fisheries committee within its constitution.

1953 – APRS held campaign to reduce litter including printing “Please help to keep Scotland tidy” signs.

1958 – Litter Act (Scotland) came into operation.

1986 – Publication of “Planning Procedure in Relation to Off-Shore Developments in Fish Farming”.

2010 – Started a three-year project to promote a National Parks Strategy.

2011 – Wrote to Environment Minister supporting proposal to designate Harris as a National Park. Published report “Benefits of National Parks”.



]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=77Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:47:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=76
As part of the proposal to support a day of action against transport litter on 15 March 2012 the Transport Litter Group asked Keep Scotland Beautiful to carry out a litter survey of the motorways and trunk road network managed by the road operators BEAR and AMEY.

The group members knew anecdotally that following the winter winds many of the shrubs and trees along the road verges were coated in plastic bags and plastic sheeting, they were aware that complaints about roadside litter were consistent, and all assumed that messy motorists were to blame. But, we had little evidence to back this up, which is why two of my colleagues and I spent a couple of days being driven along the hard shoulders of the motorways and walking along the verges of the trunk roads monitoring the extent of the problem.

BEAR Scotland and AMEY annually remove 55,000 black bags full of rubbish from the roads for which they are responsible for and kindly offered to provide us with a member of staff and vehicle to assist with the surveys.

Following a safety briefing we set off. Our aim; to identify how much of the motorway and trunk road network was unacceptably littered; to calculate how many cans and plastic bottles (all of which could have been recycled) were found per 100metres; and to identify what percentage was affected by confectionary litter, smoking related litter, fast food litter or any other type of waste.

I was not surprised that smoking related litter was found so often as in my opinion people often don’t think about their one cigarette end being litter (it is!), but I did have my eyes opened to the number of empty energy drink cans and coffee cups which had carelessly been thrown for vehicles! Perhaps, I thought, these items are chucked out of vehicle windows under the cover of darkness when drivers are battling a long distance drive. Still, there is no excuse!

For me personally the survey proved that messy motorists really do need to take some pride and clean up their act.

If you hate roadside litter as much as I do, why not show your support for the reduction of it with an anti roadside litter sticker on your vehicle.

Contact kst@ksbscotland.org.uk and we’ll send one out to you.

By Suzanne Roberts
]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=76Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:04:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=73
If you’re thinking of cleaning up a woodland during National Spring Clean, then read on for how you can get more out of your experience…

Many people don’t realise what fantastic woodland is on their doorstep and how to access them. With this in mind, the Woodland Trust has joined forces with a range of woodland owners to launch VisitWoods.org.uk - an interactive website showcasing thousands of woods you can visit in Scotland and across the UK, regardless of who owns them.

A simple, quick check on the website VisitWoods.org.uk revealed, upon entering my postcode, a number of local woodlands I’d not visited before. One of these had great trails for walking, running and biking just minutes from my house!

The website also makes it easy for you to share what you know about a particular wood with others who may be looking for a place to go for a walk or walk the dog! Simply follow the instructions:

-go to VisitWoods.org.uk
-search for a wood you know (by name or by postcode)
-register (to allow you to add to the site), and
upload your comments, photos and descriptions of that wood to our gallery or blog

All of this is free and the Woodland Trust hope it will be a great way to promote your local wood, as well as publicly thank volunteers and encourage community involvement. And who knows, like me you may even discover a new wood yourself!

VisitWoods is a partnership project, led by the Woodland Trust Scotland which receives funding from Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and People’s Postcode Lottery.


By Tim Mullens


Credit image: WTPL / Ken Leslie


]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=73Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:54:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=72
Don’t stop reading with disgust, and stop pulling that face! If you put the perception aside and think about the facts then woman everywhere who care about their environment would swap disposable pads and tampons!

I ditched conventional protection about 10 years ago after a visit to a waste water treatment works in Kirkcaldy, Fife. I worked on the Bag it and Bin it campaign then; trying to encourage people to stop flushing bathroom items down the toilet, but to bin them instead. I think seeing the volume of waste that was passing through the treatment process just made me realise how huge a problem this waste stream is – not only did most of it go to landfill then, much of it also damaged the screens and escaped into the environment – which is why when you walk on the beach you can often see cotton bud sticks and tampon applicators. I knew then that that there had to be an alternative. I found it and haven’t looked back!

I may not have managed to convert many of my colleagues or friends, (not for the lack of trying and talking about it), and most think I am mad! But I am not embarrassed that I chose a sustainable sanitary protection option. It’s a no brainer for me really! My cup contains no bleach, no dye, no fibres, it can be reused time after time, year after year saving hundreds of pounds over my lifetime – It really is the greener option!

Here are some facts. Read them and then maybe challenge your first reaction. Give it a try and make International Woman’s Day about making that greener choice.
- Scottish Water estimates that 340 million sanitary items are flushed down the loo in Scotland annually, 75% of sewer chokes, costing over £6million pounds to clear, are caused by bathroom waste;
- 12% of all the litter found on Scottish beaches in 2010 was sewage related (The Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch 2010)
- On average one woman will use over 11,000 tampons or pads in her lifetime costing an estimated £1,000



By Suzanne Roberts


]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=72Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:06:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=70
There was a fantastic turnout of about 40 people - The beautiful weather helped making it a win-win for everyone!

The rangers and a few others set off on the West Highland Way, others tackled local parks, car parks and piles of cigarette ends in the town centre.

I spent some time in a large car park and I was amazed by the amount of stuff lurking in the undergrowth. Stuff that was so clearly just thrown out of people’s cars (what else would account for 6 car headlight bulbs).

Why - I just don’t get it??!!!

Thankfully the litterers are in the minority and I met some great people today who care so much they’re willing to volunteer their time to make a difference. I’d really like to be able to share my experiences today, and of other litter picks I have been on with those who left the litter in the first place. I hope that some of them saw us at work today and will think twice in the future.

Although a clean up can leave you a bit frustrated it’s totally outweighed by the great feeling you get from doing something positive – it’s also a great way to meet and have a chat with like minded people.

It’s so easy to do a clean up whether you’re a youth group that spends half an hour in a local park, a dog walker who takes a carrier bag on your usual route or a business looking for a perfect team building activity – please join us and Sign Up to take part in National Spring Clean.




By Helen Darvill

]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=70Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:27:00 GMThttp://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=66
Just a short walk into the countryside has already revealed clumps of snowdrops and the first Crocus of Spring, no doubt encouraged into poking their heads through the soil by the friendlier temperatures and longer daylight hours. The Bluebells will be on the way in good time.

Pausing to take a photo of the spring scene I noticed two unwanted ‘extras’ half hidden among the foliage. Unfortunately it appears that some previous visitors had chosen to leave behind a reminder of their visit in the form of litter. The litter problem seems particularly bad close to roads. Some could have blown there in high winds, but some must have been dropped by careless visitors. I removed the offending crisp packets from the photo area and ended up taking them on a trip to the nearest bin.

Do you have a local area you think would benefit from a Spring Clean? Keep Scotland Beautiful runs a number of schemes such as the National Spring Clean 2012 where you can make a difference. For more information and to register online visit the National Spring Clean website.

By Tim Mullens
]]>http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/blog.aspx?id=66Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT