Tougher action on littering from vehicles is to be introduced as part of a future Circular Economy Bill, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced.
With 1,300 bags – nearly 7 tonnes – of rubbish gathered from the sides of the M8 and M9 alone each month and Dumfries and Galloways roads littered with rubbish from east to west across the region, action will be taken as soon as possible under the National Litter Strategy.
Joining operatives on the M9 to see the scale of the problem, Ms Cunningham said:
“I am committed to bringing forward new legislation as part of a future Circular Economy Bill, making it an offence to litter from vehicles.
“Squads of litter pickers are out on our road network every single day collecting bottles, crisp packets, cans and more, but are facing an uphill battle in the face of mindless behaviour from those motorists and passengers who are choosing to throw their litter out of the window rather than binning or recycling empty packaging at the end of their journey.
“Scotland is a beautiful country that is being blighted by litter. Not only is littering from vehicles completely unnecessary, it is unsightly and it presents a danger, both to other motorists and to the operatives leading the clean-up operation. There is also a significant cost to the taxpayer, taking valuable resources away from other public services.
“Current efforts to tackle roadside litter are to be commended and supported as we continue to encourage motorists to not litter. The introduction of our Deposit Return Scheme will further incentivise recycling and increase the value of some commonly littered items, but there can simply be no excusing the practice of littering from vehicles, which is why I am committed to introducing tougher measures to tackle this issue.
