Working with volunteers from Uddingston Pride and Brighter Bothwell, and supported by South Lanarkshire Council’s Ground Services team, around 100 pupils rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the litter pick which focused on the area in and around the school grounds, and nearby town centre.

The senior pupils got involved to help spread the wider message to fellow students about the volume of litter around their school and town, and the environmental impact it can create.

Emma Berry, Environmental Initiatives officer, for the council, has worked closely with the group and schools across South Lanarkshire to keep the anti-litter message firmly on the agenda. She explained: “I’ve been engaging with primary and secondary schools as well as our Youth Forum on Climate Change and Sustainability, very much on the back of the message of COP26 and how we can all play even a small part in the achievement of global goals.

“We have been able to lead presentations at school assemblies and send out litter picking kits to each and every school that wants them, and I have been delighted at the response and the enthusiasm. It’s been even more enjoyable to have been able to do this in person, and get the young people involved on the ground, in a way that hasn’t been possible for so long during the pandemic.”

Alison McGuigan, Depute Head Teacher at Uddingston Grammar added: “We are proud of the more than 100 of our S6 pupils who gave their time and effort to work alongside Uddingston Pride and Brighter Bothwell in what was a very successful litter pic.

“Their endeavours took them all around Uddingston, gathering more than 50 full bags of litter as they went.  Thanks to them for rolling up their sleeves and taking responsibility and pride in their town, and special mention to Anona Fraser of Uddingston Pride who organised the event and kindly provided prizes for our pupils. It was a great initiative and one we were happy to be a part of.”

Litter-picking kits and support information specific to either primary or secondary school pupils are available to schools and parent councils on request. The team is particularly keen for more High Schools to get involved. 

Meanwhile, the council continues to support community-led clean-ups with all the resources needed for a successful litter pick event. Full details and a request form are live on our website.