Litter-picking hub launched in Tollcross in response to complaints

Tollcross today became the 88th location in Glasgow for a new litter-picking hub filled with equipment for community clean-ups.

A growing network of litter picking hubs is being installed across the city with the new Tollcross facility becoming the first in the East End.

The new hub is located at Tollcross Advice and Learning Centre and local people can borrow the equipment by contacting the centre in Braidfauld Street.

The Tollcross hub is among the first to carry a new QR code which enables people to scan it and log the amount and types of litter they have collected as well as highlighting any hotspots sites.

The council will use this data to target its staff and resources to tackle specific problems identified in the community.

'It's like living in a bin'

It comes after local people revealed littering is a "massive problem" for the East End of Glasgow.

Gail Jackson has been volunteering with Tollcross Community Trust for almost a decade - and said the problem with rubbish has only grown.

She said: "I know how it impacts me, it depresses me actually.

"It's like living in a bin sometimes.

"I always brought up to put rubbish in your pocket and throw it away when you get home, and I think this hub will help educate young people about that.

"We want to make this place a bit nicer to live in, so that it's a nice place for kids to grow up.

"I think that's what it's all about - making people proud about where they stay."

'All people have to do is ask'

Ellen Stewart, Secretary of Auchenshuggle & Tollcross Community Council, said: “We are really pleased to have the litter picking hub installed and hope that local people take advantage of the equipment. It’s in an easily accessible location – all people have to do, is ask to use it at the advice centre.

“We hope that, as more residents/groups in the area learn of this facility, more of them will use it and we can really Tidy Tollcross Together.”

Councillor Ruairi Kelly said: “It is great to see new litter-picking hubs being installed in more communities across the city where people can take advantage of the equipment to help tidy their neighbourhoods.

"I know there are many people who take great pride in the areas where they live and do regular litter picks."

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