Seeing green after a year of plastic bag charges

Ten East Dunbartonshire groups have carried out significant work over the last year after being awarded a Keep Scotland Beautiful Community Grant, funded from the proceeds of the single carrier bag charge collected by Tesco in Scotland since October 20 last year.

Two groups, Merkland Local Nature Reserve Working Group and Friends of Lenzie Moss were among the recipients, which allowed them to become further engaged in the local environment, make a sustainable difference locally and positively improve outdoor experiences in their community.

The grant helped Merkland Local Nature Reserve Working Group purchase 250 pot grown native wildflowers in a bid to attract more wildlife and pollinators to the area. The local community and volunteers were involved in the planting and their hard work has helped to create a more biodiverse and attractive space.

Friends of Lenzie Moss’ efforts to conserve the Moss for the benefit of present and future generations were bolstered by the grant, which helped the group to bring together the local community and pupils from a local school to undertake planting at the reserve - encouraging local people to come together and care for their local environment.

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Keep Scotland Beautiful is proud of the positive impact the Community Grant Scheme has, and is having, on communities throughout Scotland.”

More information is available at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org