Litter bugs urged to come clean

FAST food lovers have been urged to dispose of their litter responsibly in a move to keep Elgin beautiful.

Local resident Faith Simpson contacted ‘The Scot’ after encountering an ‘appalling amount’ of litter during a morning run in the town.

A particular problem spot was along a path that runs on the opposite side of the A96 to McDonalds and KFC.

"It’s so sad to see this happen, where no one seems to take pride in the town anymore.

"I have no issue if people want to eat in fast food restaurants, but I do have an issue when people are chucking rubbish out their car windows and littering up the town I call home," she said.

The accountant contacted Moray Council to be told the area was on a rota for street cleaning; however, she called for more frequent action to ensure Elgin remains a community in which people can take pride.

A spokesman for the authority said both the fast food outlets have staff who litter-pick their respective areas.

"However, litter that, for example, blows across the road, is the responsibility of the council to clear up and this is done as often as possible, but certainly not daily, given the limited resources at our disposal.

"As ever, people should ensure they dispose of litter responsibly or take it home with them," he said.

KFC voiced its commitment to the cause and said it would take the concerns on board.

A spokesperson for the franchise that operates the restaurant in Elgin added: "KFC strives to be a good neighbour, and we are therefore very aware of the importance of playing our part in keeping Elgin clean, which is why we undertake regular litter picks around the Elgin restaurant wherever it is safe to do so.

"The Elgin team undertake a litter collection before we open, plus several during the day, and one late at night.

"We are committed to maintaining this litter programme and are always happy to consider alternative solutions, and to discuss any specific concerns that Elgin residents may have, as part of our ambition to be a positive addition to the local community."

McDonalds carry out similar clean-ups and said they will do everything they can to solve the problem.

The local team are currently taking part in Transport Litter Week in Scotland – a national campaign to raise awareness of litter on Scotland’s roads and railways, organised by Zero Waste Scotland.

Franchisee Craig Duncan and his team also organise regular community litter picks, and staff at every McDonald’s restaurant across Scotland patrol the streets at least three times a day to collect all litter that has been discarded, regardless of its origin.

Mr Duncan said: "It’s unfortunate that there are still some people who think it is acceptable to drop litter on Scotland’s roads and railways. Transport Litter is a huge frustration for everyone and as well as having an environmental impact, McDonald’s and the partners involved in Zero Waste Scotland’s Transport Litter Group commit considerable resources towards tackling this problem. "Our restaurant is proud to support the campaign to raise awareness of this issue and to encourage everyone to take personal responsibility and drive their garbage home."

The Transport Litter Week of Action campaign follows the launch of a new consultation from the Scottish Government which intends to bring forward a final National Litter Strategy early in 2014. Consultation on the "Towards a Litter Free Scotland" runs until September 27.