Upstream Battle Campaign: Tackling Marine Litter
Scotland has a litter emergency both on land and in our oceans. Up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic gets into the sea each year, and around 80% of marine litter starts it’s life on land. Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has founded the Upstream Battle® national campaign to tackle marine litter from its source by changing behaviour and preventing litter from reaching waterways and having impacts on wildlife and biodiversity.
Across Highland, Orkney and Shetland members of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub are already tackling growing marine litter in their locality through beach cleans and raising awareness for the issue within their community. By taking part in Upstream Battle®, the work of our members will directly contribute to Scotland’s first source to sea litter data-set. Ensuring representation of Highland, Orkney and Shetland’s communities in the campaign’s voice to policymakers.
How can our members join in with Upstream Battle® to raise awareness, gather evidence & inspire action?
Collect data
To understand how, where or what is getting into rivers across Scotland, Upstream Battle is calling for communities to survey the litter found on local local beaches, rivers or waterways. Using Upstream Battle’s survey guide, record the number of litter items found in specific areas. Thee surveys can be done exclusively, or as part of a clean up project. Submit findings to the campaign and the results will contribute to Scotland's first comprehensive river litter data set. Understand how to collect & submit data here.
Local action
The involvement of individuals, community groups and businesses is essential to the success of Upstream Battle. KSB has established Anchor Groups along rivers who are active, local groups leading their communities with litter picks and citizen science. Each Anchor Group is responsible for monitoring a specific blue space, surveying and encouraging good practice around marine litter in that area. If any of our members taking action to prevent marine litter wish to become an Anchor Group, or join the community of Upstream Battle, they can access the Facebook page here.
Working with young people
Upstream Battle offers an opportunity to educate young people in understanding littering behaviour, both marine and on land. For our members, young people can get involved as a volunteer and contribute towards their Saltire or Duke of Edinburgh award. Upstream Battle have created guides to engage young people effectively.
Raising awareness
Upstream Battle has the potential to raise awareness for the extent of the marine litter problem in Scotland, and ensure that everyone living near a waterway is motivated to keep their waterway clean. Our members can help raise awareness of the journey of marine litter from source to sea through sharing messages, using Upstream Battle® social media cards, videos and posters. Upstream Battle have designed these easily download and share with your friends, community and in the media. Find these resources here.
