Government

ZWS launch new funding to tackle Scotland’s litter

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has today (5 July) announced the launch of funding for three projects to attempt to prevent and tackle the impact of litter and fly-tipping across Scotland.

The projects focus on infrastructure and enforcement, innovation, and product and service development. All three aim to encourage new, innovative ideas to tackle Scotland’s long-standing litter problem.

The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s national litter strategy, Towards a Litter-Free Scotland, supported by ZWS, which was launched in June.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced that litter costs Scotland “at least £53 million each year to tackle”.

Commenting on the launch of the funding, he said:  “I’m very pleased to announce the launch of these three funds seeking new and innovative ideas to both prevent and also tackle the damaging impact of litter and fly-tipping in Scotland.

“I hope they prove to be an excellent incentive and spur on businesses, individuals and community groups to seize the opportunity to make Scotland a greener, cleaner place.”

Funding details

ZWS states that the infrastructure and enforcement fund will provide support to improve current systems and pilot new ideas in order to increase the responsible disposal of waste and to strengthen the enforcement of litter and fly-tipping in Scotland’s environment.

Suggested projects include: the installation and improvement of recycle-on-the-go facilities in busy areas; new ways to prevent accidental and wind-blown litter; and new approaches to enforcement.

The innovation fund is set to help trial creative initiatives around behaviour change and prevention, including projects such as methods to tackle specific types of litter like chewing gum, and new ways to boost clean-up activity in communities.

Finally, the product and service development fund is expected to encourage product or service changes through the implementation of new ideas to reduce packaging, increase the purchase of reusable coffee cups and incorporate anti-litter messages onto product labelling.

The need for ‘creative thinking’

Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland added: “These funds are an important part of the Scottish Government’s litter strategy which Zero Waste Scotland is driving delivery of. Tackling such a serious and engrained problem as litter and fly-tipping needs creative thinking and partnership working.”

He continued: “We know many people want to help tackle this problem in Scotland. That’s why we would like to encourage bids from our full range of stakeholders, from private business to local authorities, and to third-sector organisations, and we will consider all workable ideas, either new, or tried-and-tested.”

Read more about Scotland’s litter strategy, Towards a Litter Free Scotland.