Luss Estates at Arrochar Litter Pick

Luss Estates worked alongside volunteers from Arrochar, Tarbet & Ardlui Community Trust, GRAB Trust, Marine Conservation Society and Zero Waste Scotland with support from Scottish Government, Argyll & Bute Council and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to tackle the issue of marine waste on the seashore. 

Around 62,000 items of litter from the Irish Sea and River Clyde end up on Arrochar’s shores every year, and it is estimated it receives around 11% of all the litter entering the Clyde. Over the course of three days in March 185.8 tonnes of contaminated material was lifted by diggers with a a further 244 bags hand picked by 180 volunteers (from the organisations named above and including Luss Estates) across four days.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Marine litter is a challenge, not just for those living along the coastline but for all of us. Plastics and other pieces of litter do not belong in our waters and risk the health of our marine environment on which we rely. 

“We are taking action to help address the issue; encouraging recycling to prevent littering in the first place with initiatives such as the introduction of a deposit return scheme and we are also looking at how we can help remove the litter that is already in our waters. We are supporting this big clean-up in Arrochar as part of our work to better understand the problem of marine litter sinks, where litter is gathering in high levels.

“Communities the length and breadth of Scotland are already playing their part in reducing and removing litter and this event is an opportunity to learn more about the issue and to offer practical help. I would encourage those who are interested to contact the event organisers and for those living further afield to get involved with their local beach cleans.”

Derek Robertson, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “In Scotland, litter and fly-tipping 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.”