Littering Awareness Campaign with Inverness Secondary Schools & University

This week marks the conclusion of a Highland Council littering awareness campaign with Inverness’ 5 secondary schools and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The Highland Council’s Waste Awareness team visited the schools and campus during October as part of the initiative, funded by Zero Waste Scotland.  The campaign aimed to help to reduce the amount of litter generated in both school & campus grounds and along local routes frequented by students at lunchtime.

On their return from the October holidays, students found their schools transformed with posters, banners, floor graphics, digital displays, temporary biodegradable street stencils and bin stickers with Zero Waste Scotland’s national campaign artwork bearing the slogans ‘Nobody likes a Bin Dodger’ and ‘Would you like to walk to school with rats?’.  The eye-catching campaign materials have been in place in each school and the campus for approximately 2 weeks. 

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of Community Services said “in line with the Scottish Government strategy ‘Towards a Litter Free Scotland’ the Highland Council believe that effective information is essential in motivating young people to change their attitude towards littering.  We are sure the materials that have been made available for this campaign will allow the Waste Aware Team to successfully engage with young people and increase the number of those demonstrating positive littering behaviour in this area.”

The Waste Awareness Team has also worked closely with schools and local food outlets to identify waste hotspots and to target littering out with school grounds by using these materials in the local areas as well.  Campaign posters have been displayed by many local shops throughout the campaign period.  In this way, it is hoped that the wider community can also engage with the anti-littering message.

The materials utilised for this campaign were specifically selected with longevity and sustainability in mind, with the majority being permanent or reusable.  It is intended that they will be made available to other schools within the Highland region.

For further information please telephone 01349 886603, visit www.highland.gov.uk or email recycle@highland.gov.uk.