People across Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to sign up for a national challenge to address the country’s litter emergency.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean takes place between 21 March and 21 April.

Ninety per-cent of people agree that litter is a problem across Scotland. The #SpringCleanScotland 2025 mass litter pick brings together people from across Scotland to help tackle our country’s litter emergency.

Last year 45,000 people across Scotland rolled up their sleeves and, equipped with litter pickers, bags and gloves, made a positive difference to their own neighbourhoods. But this year we’re urging people to get involved and contribute to an even bigger national response.

Now, Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling for people across Dumfries and Galloway to get involved. With 81% of people agreeing they want to see increased action to clean up litter in their communities, #SpringCleanScotland 2025 is the perfect chance for people to get involved and take action to reverse the deterioration in environmental quality in Scotland’s neighbourhoods.

More than 15,000 people have already registered to take part during the month-long event, which kicks off this Friday. You can register your own clean up or find one to join on the Clean Up Scotland map.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re so excited for #SpringCleanScotland 2025 to begin this week, and it would be fantastic for as many people as possible from Dumfries and Galloway to get involved.

“We know 85% of people agree that they want to see more efforts to prevent litter in their area. It starts with us.

“No longer can we wait for someone else to pick up the litter we might walk past every day – so we are inviting everyone to organise a litter pick with friends, family, workmates or alone, or to join an event registered on our Clean Up Scotland map.

“Every action, however small, will help us reverse the litter emergency.”

Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of the council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council is proud to continue our support of the Spring Clean Scotland campaign, reinforcing our commitment to protecting and enhancing our beautiful region. Over the past two campaigns, our region’s communities and volunteers have demonstrated incredible dedication to addressing the litter in our region coming together to make a real difference in keeping our towns, villages, and natural spaces clean and litter-free. Last year, Dumfries and Galloway was presented with The Spring Clean Quaich in recognition of this work and we hope for the same success again this year.

“Through the focus provided by Keep Scotland Beautiful through the Spring Clean Scotland campaign and by working together across our region, we are ensuring that Dumfries and Galloway remains a place we can all take pride in – now and for future generations.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful is pleased to be working in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy and Keep Wales Tidy to support the Great British Spring Clean.

Visit Spring Clean 2025 | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information.