Litter-picking walk launched in Glasgow: Everything you need to know about Cleaner Greener Scotland campaign
A community activist who has made Scotland her home is launching a new campaign to help the people of Glasgow fight for better facilities and resources.
From fixing potholes to re-opening public toilets and giving better local access to recycling points, Josephine MacLeod wants to galvanise members of the public to work together for change.
She’s put together an online petition – sign here – to help drive engagement at Scottish government level, but she’s also organising a massive litter-picking walk in Glasgow city centre on Saturday, August 22, starting at 11am. The event is taking place at 75 Saint Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4BW.
Crossing party political borders and bringing together all faiths, Josephine hopes the public will turn out to support the Cleaner Greener Scotland initiative.
Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but too many of our communities are affected by litter, fly-tipping, potholes, poor road maintenance and environmental neglect. This campaign is about bringing people together to take pride in our streets, parks, roads and public spaces.
Josephine, who moved to Scotland with her husband in 2015, but who has been a regular visitor for 20 years, was an environmental activist in her native Nigeria, where she successfully campaigned against deforestation, for the preservation of plants especially herbs and other medicinal plants and against mass cutting down of coconut trees along beaches
Closer to home, the property developer is a volunteer litter-picker in Milngavie, and has been maintaining the gardens and passing on her horticultural skills to the next generation at Baldernock childcare setting and in various local schools for a number of years.
Her determination to do even more came after she campaigned as a candidate in local and Scottish elections in Kirkintilloch, Twechar, Easterhouse and Springburn. Not only was she dismayed at the lack of public toilet facilities, which she says is a basic human need for dignity, the number of pot holes in more deprived areas and the lack of community recycling shocked her.
As the organisation’s founder, she is launching Cleaner, Greener Scotland Campaign from next to St Enoch’s subway station in the city centre with music, youth action and a community clean up event, aimed at promoting cleaner, safer and better maintained communities across Scotland.
“We will walk from St Enoch to Sauchiehall Street and back picking up litter,” said Josephine. “Everyone is invited to join us. We will be speaking to local elected officials and church groups of all denominations, but every member of the public who cares about Glasgow is welcome to join us. We all pay our council taxes, it is time for more money to be spent in the community.
“There will be refreshments and music after the march so come along for a litter pick, march and chat.”
JOM Charity has agreed to co-host the event and is providing the refreshments and covering the campaign's media/publicity cost. JOM Charity (SCIO) SC048839
The day promises not only to raise awareness but provide lots of fun along the way, with the internationally recognised JIVE ACES band performing at the event to help raise awareness and encourage public participation. Also joining them is legendary African musician John Oboh Might Mouse Legacy - Kakofoni Foundation.
The campaign is also supported by HAPI - The Way to Happiness Foundation, volunteer ministers, community leaders, supporters and endorsers.
A youth and community group led by Ralu, Chimdi, Emmanuel and Daniel has also endorsed the campaign and will help lead youth awareness activities under the theme “Sports Meets Environment.” Their planned activities include youth basketball, football & track & field tournaments, environmental messaging, social media campaigns and cultural engagement events.
The campaign’s agenda includes:
• National education and environmental responsibility campaigns
• A Deposit Return Rewards Scheme with Reverse Vending Machines
• Routine, preventative and high-quality pothole repairs
• Tougher action against fly-tipping
• More public bins and support for community clean-ups
• Dedicated environmental funding for local councils
• Corporate responsibility for waste
• Cleaner roadsides and public spaces
• Reinstating more public toilets for dignity, welfare and public health
How can you become involved?
Sign the petition here – once it reaches 1,000 signatures Josephine plans to write to the Scottish government officially calling for more action.
Join the launch of The Cleaner, Greener, Pothole-Free Scotland - Nature & Communities First Campaign on Saturday, August 22, at St Enoch, Glasgow city centre at at 11am.