A Lidl litter pick can make a big difference

We’re delighted to be partnering with Lidl for a week of action across Glasgow as part of #SpringCleanScotland 2024. 

With our annual Spring Clean taking place from 15 March – 28 April, our week of action with Lidl stores will help us finish off with a bang, tackling litter and encouraging recycling across Glasgow. 

Our partnership follows the installation of Lidl’s return vending machines at 21 of its stores throughout Glasgow, which let customers enjoy unlimited cash rewards in return for empty PET plastic and aluminium drinks containers.

The vending machines offer customers 5p per item returned to use against their weekly shop or it can be donated to Lidl’s long-standing charity partner, the STV Children’s Appeal. 

#SpringCleanScotland is our annual challenge to clean up Scotland and reverse the country’s litter emergency. Our Scottish Litter Survey found that 90% of people agree that litter is a problem across Scotland so now it is time for everyone to play their part. 

We’re looking to better last year where more than 30,000 people across Scotland rolled up their sleeves and, equipped with litter pickers, bags and gloves, made a positive difference to their own neighbourhoods. 

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “It’s fantastic to have Lidl involved in this year’s Spring Clean and I hope this week of action inspires people across Scotland to play their part. 

“Unfortunately, Scotland has a litter emergency. We didn’t arrive at this point overnight, and there’s no quick fix, so we need to take action now. 

“We saw a brilliant response from people who want to make a difference last year but we’re aiming higher this year as we look to make #SpringCleanScotland 2024 the biggest and best yet.” 

Seventy per cent of people in Scotland think litter is an issue locally, while the Scottish Litter Survey also found that 66% of people regularly see items that would be collected under a Deposit Return Scheme – such as plastic drinks bottles – littered regularly. 

Marco Ivone, Regional Director for Lidl in Scotland, said: “At Lidl, we are on a mission to eliminate unnecessary waste in every form and taking part in litter picks with Keep Scotland Beautiful is a fantastic way for us to do our bit to help tackle local litter.  

“We have seen an overwhelmingly positive response to our incentivised Glasgow Return Scheme, as Lidl customers have taken full advantage of the benefits for their pocket, and the planet, with some putting their savings to even better use by donating them to the STV Children's Appeal.  

“We hope to see even more people doing the same after they join us on our litter picks for #SpringCleanScotland 2024 and return to a Lidl store in Glasgow to deposit any empty plastic or aluminium drinks containers they have picked up." 

Four litter picks will take place at Lidl stores across Glasgow to round off this year’s Spring Clean. 

The first begins at the Pollokshaws Lidl on Sunday 21 April between 10am and 12pm. 

Litter picks will then take place from the Tollcross store on 22 April, the Partick store on 23 April and the Duke Street store on Wednesday 24 April, all between 10am and 12pm. 

Reserve your ticket for your nearest event today!  

Anyone can take part in #SpringCleanScotland 2024 by registering their own litter pick or joining one in their area. Visit Spring Clean 2024 | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information.