A CONSCIENTIOUS Coatbridge man has been taking it upon himself to rid one of Monklands back roads of litter.
Alistair Stephens, who was raised in Glenmavis, drives back to the village almost every day and, over the past two months, noticed a lot of discarded items building up at the side of Coatbridge Road.
The pharmacist, who also tidies up his own street a couple of times a week, said: “I drive to Glenmavis all the time and have been noticing a lot of litter gathering.
“I thought I needed to get it tidied up for the greater good of the community. It only took me half-an-hour but there was a lot of stuff there – cans, bottles, paint tubs; just lots of random rubbish.
“I like to see the local area looking clean and tidy.
“Nobody helps out; it’s only me but I don’t mind as it’s actually quite therapeutic!
“I’ve no idea where all the litter comes from but it has to stop. If it needs done, though, I’ll be there to make the effort.”
Earlier this month, the Scottish Government announced plans aimed at improving recycling efforts made by members of the public. Shoppers will soon have to pay a 20p deposit on their favourite bottle and canned drinks.
The extra cost will cover aluminium and steel cans as well as commonly sold plastic and glass drinks bottles.
The up-front cost of multi-packs will rise further because the deposit applies to individual bottles.
The decision has been broadly welcomed by green groups and campaigners.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “There is a global climate emergency and people across Scotland have been calling, rightly, for more ambition to tackle it and safeguard our planet for future generations.”
The Green Party’s Mark Ruskell said: “This will deliver a massive boost to recycling, reduce litter and encourage us all to see waste as a resource.
“However, much more needs to be done if we’re to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution.
“Hundreds of millions of single-use cups are used and thrown away in Scotland every year.
“The Scottish Government needs to bring forward proposals for a disposable cup charge on these cups to cut their use.”
