Pupils encouraged to help remove litter

Gillian Martin MSP has launched her Take 5 Tour across primary schools in Aberdeenshire calling on young people to collect five pieces of litter when out and about.

Today, Ms Martin visited Tipperty Primary School and Turriff Primary encouraging local children to back her pledge to Take 5 by collecting at least five pieces of litter they encounter on walks in their neighbourhood, forests and beaches.

The bid to encourage children to consider how they dispose of their waste follows the Scottish Government’s declaration of a climate emergency earlier this year.

The Aberdeenshire East MSP has already written to leading supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco urging them to cut down on throwaway packaging.

Now, Ms Martin has invited schools to join her campaign by playing their part in tackling plastic pollution.

Commenting Gillian Martin MSP said: “Over the last few months, children and young people throughout my constituency have taken to the streets to demand strong climate action and make their voices heard.

“Today I am delighted to be listening to some of those pupils and believe as we tackle the climate emergency education is a positive force for change.

“Schools are at the very heart of our communities and so can help to take the lead in transforming those communities locally by recognising the role we all have in picking up litter.

“Meanwhile, I will continue to lobby larger businesses nationally to reduce plastic pollution and urge the UK Government to address the climate crisis.”

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