Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 24 September 2025
Thank you, convener. You are absolutely right to note that the sun bursting through on this September day is relevant to the petition, as I think of driving along the A1 as the urine-filled bottles by the side of the road glint in the sun, along with all the rubbish.
That brings me to the substance of the petitioners’ targeted campaign. In February, when the petition was last before you, I highlighted the tremendous voluntary efforts to clear Scotland’s roadsides. Groups such as the Berwickshire anti-litter group, which is led by Carolyn Phillip and Myra Watson—who are, I am glad to say, here in the gallery today—and many others across the country dedicate their free time to tackling what Keep Scotland Beautiful has rightly described as a litter emergency.
In Berwickshire alone, volunteers are out on the aforementioned A1 and in local lay-bys week after week, simply because they care about the environment and their local community. I joined the Berwickshire anti-litter group in Duns in April and, in just one hour, we filled a bag with litter weighing 7.3kg. That is proof of how much can be collected in just a short space of time. It was rewarding, but the situation is frustrating for the volunteers, because we know that the litter is going to return very quickly. That is why we need systemic action and not just good will.
Since February, the committee has received fresh submissions on the petition. Transport Scotland has recognised that roadside litter is increasing, that clean-ups are futile without behavioural change and that a campaign is needed to discourage people and companies from discarding their waste on our roads. The Scottish Government’s response acknowledges the role of commercial vehicles, and I recognise that section 18 of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 provides for civil penalties when litter escapes from vehicles, even unintentionally. That is a welcome step, but it must be matched with communication and enforcement.
The petition does not ask for the earth. It calls for a targeted awareness campaign to ensure that companies understand their responsibilities and the penalties that apply.
We know from previous campaigns, such as the “Give your litter a lift” and “Scotland is stunning, let’s keep it that way” campaigns, that well-designed messaging can shift behaviour. However, in recent years, there has been no consistent national campaign focused on roadside litter, despite strong public demand and cross-party support. We cannot keep relying on volunteers such as Myra and Carolyn. The Scottish Government is delaying taking action, and the petitioner is right: we just need definitive action. A targeted roadside litter awareness campaign is overdue, and I urge the committee to support the petition.