287 August 2018 - Gryffe Advertizer

6
The Advertizer
New Initiative Will Clean up Renfrewshire’s Roadsides
Roadside litter is set to
be tackled as the latest
element of Renfrewshire’s
growing Team Up to Clean Up
campaign.
The latest strand of the
campaign aims to deter
drivers from throwing litter
out their windows onto the
roadside and pedestrians
from failing to use litter bins.
A dedicated Rapid Response
Team (RRT) has been set up to tackle the problem and will work to clear verges
and pavements across the area of discarded litter.
Residents will be able to report areas of concern and issues will be assigned to
the new RRT as part of their ongoing programme of work.
The new team will work in tandem with the current RRT who were expanded at
the beginning of the campaign and carry out daily patrols across Renfrewshire,
tackle issues of fl ytipping and work with local businesses to ensure they are
disposing of their waste correctly.
Grant Roderickson, Roadside Litter RRT, said: “Unfortunately people tend to
throw all sorts out of their car windows and we have to go out to clean up after
them.
“We put out signs to warn motorists we are there but often drivers don’t slow
down enough which can be one of the main dangers of this role.
“We’re working hard to pick up all the litter that is thrown out of cars, tackle
fl ytipping on rural roads and really trying our best to keep Renfrewshire clean.”
Renfrewshire Council recently supported national environment charity Keep
Scotland Beautiful’s Week of Action on roadside litter which asked motorists to
‘give their litter a lift’ and consider the local environment.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Infrastructure, Land and Environment
Policy Board, said: “Roadside litter has been a key issue I have wanted to tackle
as part of the campaign as it is damaging to the environment and a blight on
the beautiful scenery we have in Renfrewshire.
“Drivers need to recognise
the damage they are causing
and that what might just be
one piece of litter to them
is actually causing a much
bigger problem.
“Working at the side of a busy
road can be dangerous and
our new team have to undergo
training to ensure their safety
as they clear the roadsides of
litter.
“Please take the time to think before you throw litter away incorrectly and
instead keep it with you until you get home or until you make it to the nearest
bin.
“Small changes can make a big difference and that is at the heart of our Team
Up to Clean Up campaign.”
£2.5million has been allocated to Renfrewshire’s Team Up to Clean Up campaign
over the next fi ve years to allow the continuation of an enhanced programme
of gully cleaning, increased mechanical road sweeping, the replacement or
removal of out of date street signage and an additional six community litter
pickers.
The campaign also challenges the community to play their part and this has
proved extremely successful with more than 120 community clean ups taking
place throughout the area and more than 2100 volunteers taking part.
A number of high-profi le businesses, including ThermoFisher, McDonalds and
Diageo, have also engaged with the campaign and have undertaken litter picks
of the local area with their staff.
For more information on the campaign and how you can get involved visit www.
renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup or join the dedicated group at www.facebook.
com/groups/teamuptocleanup.
Deadline date for our September issue - Friday 17th August - you don’t want to miss it!!