Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 28 January 2021 10:52
Image: The Our Place Our Families team
Volunteers from across Renfrewshire are working together as they aim to inspire local people to take pride in where they live.
As part of Renfrewshire Council’s Team Up to Clean Up campaign, more than 1,500 volunteers took part in a litter pick in 2020 and removed an incredible 4,430 bags of litter from the local environment.
In addition to these bags, larger items of fly tipping such as tyres, trolleys or household waste have been actively reported to the council who have removed them as a priority through their StreetScene team.
In total, 707 litter picks took place by lone litter pickers, families, workplaces, schools and group events as communities continue to take pride in their neighbourhoods and encourage behaviour change from their fellow residents.
All volunteers are given health and safety advice, including adhering to the number of households they are able to meet under current restrictions, following physical distancing and only picking up what is safe to do – with any glass or similar items reported to the wardens service.
Volunteers continue to spring up across the area and Dargavel Village in Erskine is latest to benefit, with 15 new people joining the campaign since the beginning of the year.
Local volunteer Ross Baillie said: “When we moved to Dargavel, we wanted to be 'net contributors' and so picking up litter as part of Team Up to Clean Up seemed like a simple way to start that in our new neighbourhood.
“Some friends also started volunteering to do the same and each of us that does it talks about the sense of achievement when we have collected a bag.
“It is this sense of achievement that keeps us going back and picking more. Not only are we contributing to keeping our neighbourhood clean, we are supporting wildlife and our environment too.”
The campaign is joint initiative between the council and the community, with bibs, litter pickers and bags provided free of charge to volunteers and the rubbish collected cleared by the council as soon as possible after it takes place and posters put up in the area to showcase that it was tidied by volunteers.
The council continue to drive behaviour change through the campaign which tackles litter, recycling and dog fouling, as well as making a sustained investment in clearing drains and sweeping roads.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I’m always amazed at the level of enthusiasm and dedication that our volunteers have to make Renfrewshire a cleaner, better place to live, work and visit.
“The fact they’ve managed to remove so many bags of rubbish last year is incredible and sad at the same time, but hopefully the campaign is inspiring people not to drop rubbish and to take care of where they live.
“Our volunteers are a shining example of what our communities in Renfrewshire can be and we’ll continue to work alongside them to provide the support they need to take part in the campaign.”
More than 1,600 like-minded people have joined the campaign’s Facebook group to share ideas, seek support and showcase what they’re doing to improve their neighbourhood.
For more information on the campaign and how to get involved, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.
Fresh new pyjamas are a Christmas essential, and Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron is looking for your help to make sure every child feels cosy and warm this Christmas.
READ MORE
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Free parking is being extended during December in Paisley town centre council car parks.
READ MORE
Children in Paisley were transported to Another Realm as they were challenged to think creatively about the impact of the climate crisis.
READ MORE
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire has paid tribute to the Armed Forces as residents attended services across the area to mark Remembrance Sunday.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Paisley will welcome the festive season in style this weekend at the town's Christmas Lights Switch-On event which returns to a Saturday for the first time since 2019!
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Spooky season descended on Paisley at the weekend as thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Halloween Festival!
READ MORE
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, Fèis Phàislig, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.
READ MORE
The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!
READ MORE