Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful launched the Litter League Schools competition as part of the Spring Clean Campaign again this year and schools in Dumfries and Galloway took first, second and third place for the South of Scotland category which has been extremely exciting for all involved.
The campaign is an exciting and fun way to get young people of all ages involved in litter picking whilst learning the importance such tasks have on combating climate change, reducing litter and protecting nature. The litter league is a competitive league table allowing schools, youth groups and nurseries to compete against each other to win one of 7 different awards, with Dumfries and Galloway being eligible for the Scotland South Spring Clean Trophy.
As a region 1884 volunteers took part in events from Langholm in the far west of the region, to Stranraer in the far east. As the number of volunteers increased during the campaign alongside the number of events taking place, our schools soon joined in and had young people from nurseries to secondary school pupils donning their high viz jackets and grabbing their litter pickers to make their mark on the campaign.
May 19 saw the schools league trophy presented to Shawhead primary by Keeping Scotland Beautiful Campaign Coordinator Heather McLaughlin who said, “This first year of our Litter League has proved to be a tremendous success. We have seen thousands of young people get involved from across the country to help us clean up Scotland.
“Litter League has proven that no matter your age, size or how many people are on your team, it is possible to have a positive impact and contribute to keeping Scotland beautiful.
“We are currently facing a litter emergency in Scotland, and we need everyone to play their part. I want to thank every single participant who got involved and tried and say a huge congratulations to all our winners.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said:
“The Keeping Scotland Beautiful, Spring Clean Scotland campaign 2023 has been fantastic. To be able to say that 1706 volunteers supported this initiative shows the strength, resilience and civic pride that is had by residents of Dumfries and Galloway. We have been privileged to meet with these volunteers in each of the twelve wards since the campaign finished to thank them personally for their efforts.”“It is a further pleasure to find out that schools within our region were not only involved with the Litter league competition, but that three local schools took gold, silver, and bronze for the South of Scotland competition. Our schools and communities are showing the country how committed they are to protecting their local environments and highlighting the education that our people are receiving and how important it is to them.’ Well done to all schools who took part.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Chair of Education Committee, Councillor Richard Brodie said:
“Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Chair of Education Committee, Councillor Richard Brodie said: “Our schools, our staff, and our young people are an asset to this region. The work put into learning about the environment through various projects including the Litter League, delivered by Spring Clean Scotland is fantastic and I am so pleased for Shawhead Primary for their fantastic efforts in this year’s competition.”“It says a lot that the top 3 schools in South of Scotland competition were from Dumfries and Galloway and goes to show how important environmental education is, and how well received opportunities like these are adopted by our schools. Many children have been asking to take litter pickers home to continue the splendid work showing how committed the young people are to truly making a difference. The future looks litter free with these young people being so well educated and enthusiastic about litter picking and the effects it has on the environment. Well done to Shawhead Primary, Leswalt Primary and Kirkcolm Primary for their fantastic achievement.”
The schools league competition delivered by Keeping Scotland Beautiful will return next year where all schools will have the chance to compete again. For more information about the charity please visit, www.keepingscotlandbeautiful.org.
