BAE Systems help us launch new Govan Community Clean Up Hub

Helping Hands Environmental litter kits will be provided to the Govan Housing Association as part of BAE Systems’ sponsorship of our Upstream Battle campaign, which aims to tackle marine litter from source to sea.

Through the hubs, alongside BAE Systems, we are striving to empower local communities who are frustrated by litter. Polling we commissioned in June 2020 showed that 30% of people thought that litter had got worse in their local area during lockdown.

The Govan Community Clean Up Hub is located close to the BAE Systems shipyard where the Royal Navy’s City Class Type 26 frigates are being built. Speaking at the launch, where litterpicking teams gathered for the first time, Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, commented: “Lockdowns have shown us how important our local parks and green spaces are to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, a minority of people behave in an irresponsible and selfish manner, dropping their rubbish, leaving it for others to clean up and spoiling our beautiful country.

“By using the equipment in these two new litter picking hubs, people will be able to help tackle litter in the areas they care about and help Clean Up Scotland.”

The funding in Govan for these Helping Hands litter kits has been provided by BAE Systems and will see kits containing litter pickers, gloves, bag hoops and high visibility vests to allow people to take part in individual or group litter picks. Local community groups will also be able to access posters and social media content to help encourage people to look after their local places and keep Scotland beautiful.

Paul Feely, Engineering and Academy Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “We’re excited to see our partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful come to life through the launch of this new Community Clean Up Hub in Govan.

“Supporting the communities that we’re a part of is really important to BAE Systems. Our shipyard is right in the heart of Govan and working in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Govan Housing Association is a fantastic way to connect with the local community and the river that is so important to Glasgow and to our business.

“It’s great to see our employees and local residents working side by side, tackling litter and making a positive difference in the local community.”

Fiona McTaggart, Chief Executive, Govan Housing Association, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the local volunteering network working with businesses, organisations and local people to launch the Clean Up Hub in Govan. We want to be part of a group that will assist our local community to take pride in Govan by keeping their neighbourhood clean.”

If you're in need of litter picking equipment, you can details and a list of hubs on our Clean Up Scotland map.