80% of marine litter in Scotland is swept into the sea from land

Tackling the issue at source is the theme of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Source to Sea Week which runs from 8th to 15th September.

There are in-person events in Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth throughout the week. There are also lots of other ways you can support the campaign to highlight the littering of our marine environment and a chance to win prizes, including £150 and vouchers.

These activities which can be done locally include:

• A litter pick up and survey
• Raising awareness through online activities with #Source2Sea and #UpstreamBattle
• Activities for children and young people including an activity sheet

The week of action is part of the charity’s award-winning Upstream Battle campaign. The aim is to inspire changes in behaviour and promote the importance of tackling various litter pathways from our streets and parks to waterways preventing it from making its way into the marine environment.

Paul Wallace, Campaigns and Social Innovation Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:

“Scotland is facing a litter emergency and we know with increasing levels of litter being recorded in the country this will have an impact on our seas nationally, and globally.

“Our Upstream Battle Source to Sea Week is a great opportunity to get involved and take collective action to tackle marine litter at source with likeminded people who care about our environment.

“From organising a litter pick to completing a litter survey, there are plenty of ways for people to get involved. It would be great to see individuals from businesses to community groups from all over the country take part in our Week of Action and help us stop litter at source.”

Visit Source to Sea Week | Upstream Battle (keepscotlandbeautiful.org) for more information.