Carnoustie and District Independent Councillor Brian Boyd is urging people to ‘take three for the sea’ in a bid to help reduce litter and plastic pollution in the sea and on beaches.
The ‘Take Three for the Sea’ project encourages people to pick up three items of litter when they are at the beach or river, or anywhere that is special to them, and dispose of the items appropriately.
Mr Boyd, who recently took part in a beach clean organised by the community council with fellow Carnoustie councillors and residents, said: “A number of television programmes and news items have highlighted the appalling damage that discarded plastic items can have on wildlife and the environment.
“It is not just the damage being done, it is also the fact that litter is an absolute eyesore for residents and visitors alike, and The Open coming to Carnoustie has also focused the minds of many people on presenting our town in the best possible light.”
Last year, a maritime survey of Scotland by Greenpeace consistently found plastic in the nests and beaks of seabirds, along with plastic bottles, packaging microbeads and debris.
A report on the survey also expressed concern about the long term impact of plastic pollution in the water, as larger pieces break down over time, with two-thirds of seawater samples taken by the campaign group found to contain microplastics, even in some of the most remote parts of Scotland.
Mr Boyd continued: “There continues to be a need for the kind of community beach clean that I took part in recently, and they are certainly effective, but we don’t have to wait for these to happen.
“A lot of people enjoy a stroll at the beach or other waterway, whether for exercising the dog or just to get some fresh air, but if we all pick up just three items of litter when we visit the beach, then collectively we can make a real difference to the environment.
“Of course, the best way to keep our beaches clean is not to carelessly discard litter in the first place, but until then, we can all make a positive contribution with just a little effort.
Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Blue Planet helped to open people’s eyes to how destructive litter is once it reaches our seas, rivers and oceans.
“In Scotland, litter and flytipping is at its worst level in ten years and 70% of us have seen someone carelessly throw litter away.
“With 90% of marine plastic coming from the land, we are pleased that so many people are taking steps to tackle the scourge of litter across the country.
“Individuals, manufacturers, government and politicians all need to work together to make sure that we can secure long term behaviour change and reduce the plastic pollution that is plaguing Scotland.”
