Councillors Marc Macrae and Amber Dunbar's litter pick effort
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TWO councillors made a "tangible difference" by picking litter from the banks of a flood alleviation area by a popular footpath.
Amber Dunbar (Elgin City North, Conservative) and Marc Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde, Conservative) hosted the Wednesday, July 12 litter pick after visiting the location earlier this year.
The litter hotspot near Grampian Furnishers, on the border of their Fochabers Lhanbryde and Elgin City North wards, is visible from the Elgin to Lhanbryde footpath.
Cllr Dunbar thanked volunteers for their interest in the event and encouraged people to set up their own.
"We're really grateful to everyone who helped out today," she said.
"And to those who wanted to help but weren't available.
"You can either buy a kit on Amazon or contact the council for equipment – and I'd encourage anyone to do it."
Litter picks are an opportunity for people to get involved in the community, and build "a better life for all of us", said Cllr Macrae.
"We all live in Moray and we all take pride in the area we live in," he said.
"Anything we can do, whether it's in the chamber or out here picking up litter, leads to a better life for all of us.
"Though they haven't caused the problem, people want to help clear it up to make it a tidier place for everybody else.
"We have to spread the message that people should put it in a bin and – if the bin is overflowing – then take it home.
The pair's litter pick came after it was revealed that Moray Council have not issued a litter fine in the last four years.
Also, no unpaid fly-tipping fines were passed to the Procurator Fiscal in the last half-decade.
Cllr Dunbar said more litter picks were on the horizon for her.
"Honestly, I'm actually quite enjoying it," she said.
"You can see a tangible difference and it's definitely something I will keep going with.
"I encourage people to take their litter home – and don't drop it."
