Source2Sea Week highlights the Upstream Battle

Our #Source2Sea Week took place from 8 September until 15 September and saw more than 350 people take action across 13 events from the River Dee in Aberdeen to the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. 

With 80% of marine litter coming from land, our annual #Source2Sea Week aims to tackle marine litter at source and stop litter, which is washed into gutters or blown into streams ending up in our seas. The week aimed to raise awareness of this issue through welcoming Poseidon and a mermaid to Dundee and Blackness Castle to talk about the problems in the ocean to members of the public, as well as inspiring action with litter picks organised in local communities near waterways. 

For those who didn't have time for a litter pick, we also challenged people to complete a Daily Action over the week. From carrying out a litter survey to completing a #2MinuteCleanUp our daily actions reached almost 5,000 people.

Heather McLaughlin, our Campaigns Coordinator, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people of all ages taking an interest in the week of action and supporting our mission to stop marine litter at source.

“This was the first year we were able to support events on rivers beyond the Clyde and Tay where Upstream Battle has been running for a number of years. The week of action not only highlights the problems facing other communities along waterways but also the motivation and drive these groups and individuals have to tackle these issues themselves.  Thank you to everyone who has taken part to help us keep Scotland’s seas beautiful.”

So far Upstream Battle has been running on the River Clyde and River Tay, but we now want to take this national and support even more communities take action to stop marine litter from source to sea. Get in touch if you're interested in joining the upstream battle.