Volunteers, community groups, pupils and businesses have teamed up to remove more than 1000 bags of litter from Renfrewshire’s local environment.
A key part of Renfrewshire’s highly successful Team Up to Clean Up campaign, Spotless September saw 49 events held across the area and 931 volunteers take part to enhance their communities.
Litter picks were held in schools, by riverbanks, outside businesses, in parks and more as the local community joined forces to tidy their local area.
The campaign has sparked new community gatherings across Renfrewshire and the latest has been formed by Jenna Givens as she looks to clean up Gallowhill in Paisley.
Jenna said: “I’ve recently moved to the Gallowhill area and there is a real community spirit around here with volunteers coming out to help and more expressing an interest, I expect our fortnightly clean ups will become a growing movement.
“As ever my two children have a hugely positive impact and continue to do good and are still keen to make a difference, it’s very rewarding to see all those bags of litter piling up.
“The service from the wardens and StreetScene team is superb, always very reliable in dropping off and picking up on time, and I can’t wait to get back out there to Team Up to Clean Up.”
Spotless September also saw the first Pooches in the Park event take place in Barshaw Park as the campaign aimed to raise awareness of the issue of dog fouling and encourage everyone to be responsible dog owners.
More than 40 people turned out in rainy conditions to show their support for the mile-long walk, which also saw an open training event from St Mirin Dog Training Centre to teach owners and dogs alike how to stay safe when out walking.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Team Up to Clean Up campaign continuing to grow and develop and with almost a thousand volunteers taking part throughout September, we really are seeing the difference in our communities.
“It’s more important than ever that we take care of our local environment and it’s great to see volunteers young and old taking part in the campaign. I take pride in where I live and it’s important the next generation recognise that we need to all work together to make Renfrewshire an inviting place to live, work and visit.
“Spotless September may be over but the campaign continues on and I can’t wait to get back out there along with others who enjoy”
The Team Up to Clean Up campaign forms part of a £2.5million investment across five years to make a real difference to the cleanliness of the streets in Renfrewshire and improve the local environment.
As well as the support from local communities, an enhanced programme of operational activity is underway to clean gullies, sweep the roads and repair the roads infrastructure to ensure the campaign is a joint approach between the council and its residents.
For more information and to find out how to get involved, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.