Renfrewshire gets set for another Spotless September

Volunteers are set to create another Spotless September in Renfrewshire as they take part in litter picks to improve and brighten up where their local communities.

Running through the month of September, businesses, community groups, schools and lone volunteers are being encouraged to go out on litter picks in their local area as part of a drive to improve the local environment.

A mainstay of Renfrewshire Council’s award-winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign, last September’s event saw 430 litter picks take place and more than 2,500 bags of litter collected.

Elaine McKeown volunteers locally around Paisley and is looking forward to another busy September.

Elaine said: “I started to get involved with Team Up to Clean Up during lockdown when I would go on lovely walks and would notice the litter left by people.

“There is so much packaging out there and it’s sad that a minority of people seem to think it’s okay to drop it with no thought to how long it will stay there, how it could affect wildlife and who needs to pick it up.

“Whether you want to go out on your own, with a friend or would like to meet like-minded people, Spotless September is a great time to join the campaign as you really feel you’re making a difference and it keeps you fit and active too.

“It’s a fun community to be part of and the other volunteers are a lovely crowd – so join us on by taking part in a litter pick this September.”

Anyone who wants to take part will be provided with equipment, including litter pickers and bags, and the collected litter will be taken away by the Council’s StreetScene team when left at a pre-agreed spot.

Volunteers are encouraged to take part as often as they can throughout the month-long event, whether that’s ten minutes round the block or an hour in their local park.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We know that people in Renfrewshire take a real pride in where they live and want to change the behaviour of those people who think it’s okay to litter.

“Almost 4,000 like-minded people are part of our Facebook group and work together with us to make a real difference to the local environment by having pride in our local communities and make our neighbourhoods thrive. This connection makes the difference when people visit and live in such welcoming spaces. 

 “We want to emulate the success of Spotless September last year, and the Big Spring Clean in April too, so please take the time to head out on a litter pick this month and be an inspiration in your community.”

Team Up to Clean Up is a joint initiative between the council and the community and the council is running an increased litter picking, road sweeping and drain clearing programme, while the community are supported to take part in litter picks all-year round with equipment and the collection of rubbish.

The campaign has also expanded to include community caddies, which allow volunteers to trim and tidy local green spaces, as well as the creation of children’s book ‘The Clumps’ Big Mess’ which every primary school child in Renfrewshire received to inspire them to be a part of the campaign.

For more information on the campaign, including how to take part, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SpotlessSeptember