Meet the Glasgow children on a litterpicking mission ahead of COP26

Young people at the Drumchapel school noticed ‘litter hotspots’ on the streets and green spaces around their community and decided to persuade teachers and parents to do something about it before COP26 comes to Glasgow in November.

With the support of a Streets Ahead grant of £700, the determined children now have litter-picking equipment and materials to allow them to carry out regular mini-clean-ups to the delight of local residents.

And they are hoping their work in and around the playground will inspire others to follow suit.

“I can’t wait to go litter picking outside of school and show everyone what we’re doing,” explains Poppy, who is seven.

“Maybe other schools and communities will see us reducing litter, and they will want to join in, then the whole city and country will be litter free.”

St Clare’s deputy headteacher Martin Muir said: “As an Eco School, St. Clare’s Primary is committed to learning for sustainability and instilling in our young people positive attitudes towards the environment, as well as equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be environmentally engaged citizens now, and in the future.

“In recent years, we have worked closely with Glasgow City Council’s Community Payback Service, the Neighbourhood Improvement and Enforcement Service and Cernach Housing Association, to improve aspects of our local community.”

He added: “Until recently, we have relied on borrowed equipment to engage in community litter picks, but thanks to the Glasgow Times Streets Ahead initiative, we now have a full set of litter pickers, gloves and bag hoops, which will allow more classes to engage in community litter picks on a more regular basis.

“In doing so, we will continue to work closely with relevant partner agencies and hope to see litter hotspots in the Drumchapel area diminish as a result.”

Our Streets Ahead campaign, supported by supported by Glasgow City Council, City Charitable Trust, People Make Glasgow Greener and City Building, brings neighbours together to improve the city for the benefit of all. This year marks its 10th anniversary of supporting projects across Glasgow, bringing neighbours closer together, breaking down barriers and reducing isolation, kickstarting vital projects and making Glasgow a greener, brighter, safer and friendlier city.

This year, there is added emphasis on environmental projects as we head towards COP26, the United Nations conference which is bringing world leaders together to discuss new climate change targets.

Climate change is very much on the minds of pupils across Glasgow, who have been working on a range of inventive and clever projects designed to encourage everyone to think about ways to help the planet.

At St Clare’s, litter-picking is just part of the school’s sustainability aims, but the pupils cannot wait to get started on clearing up the streets around their community.

Cyrena, who is seven, said: “I think it’s amazing that we have this equipment now to keep our school and community tidy.

“Hopefully when people see us working hard, they will stop littering”

Lexi, who is also seven, added: “Litter pollutes our oceans and hurts wildlife so we want to reduce it as much as possible to help save the planet.”

And Caleb, aged eight, said: “I hope it starts a chain reaction to encourage more people to look after our planet.”

READ MORE: The Easterhouse community garden bringing people together

Is your school Streets Ahead? We would love to hear about the community projects your nursery, primary, secondary or ASL school has up and running, and there is funding available through our Streets Ahead grant scheme to support you if required.

We also want to hear about community projects designed to encourage people to think more carefully about the environment.

Perhaps you are a ‘green business’, doing your bit to help the planet through sustainability schemes?

Get in touch by emailing ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk to share your stories and photos.