'Bag it, Bin it!' summer crackdown on human waste is launched by Highland Council amid rising visitor numbers
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A RISE in messy camping has sparked a new call to 'bag it and bin it' by Highland Council, after it launched a summer crackdown on human waste in the countryside.
With the pandemic sending people flocking to the Highlands in ever greater numbers than before, there have been concerns over reckless and irresponsible behaviour by those getting caught out when exploring the great outdoors.
And the council is now urging people to bag it and bin it "when nature calls in the outdoors" – amid concerns over the impact on public health and water supplies.
“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our beautiful countryside, but we need to minimise the negative impact on the natural environment and on the people living in these communities, so every effort must be taken to Bag It, Bin It!" said Cllr Allan Henderson, the chairman of the council’s communities and place committee. "This campaign is aimed to raise awareness of the issue and provide useful advice to help visitors be prepared before they start their trip.”
The council said it had put in place a range of measures to help visitors enjoy the Highlands "in a responsible and sustainable way". These include new seasonal access rangers and waste services staff who will carry out patrols. It added that increased litter bin collections were now in place, road signage and parking facilities had been improved, and additional public toilets and comfort schemes – where other providers make their facilities available to visitors – are being introduced.
They added that human waste is extremely harmful to people, spreads disease in wildlife and can pollute water sources – especially as people in rural communities often rely on natural (private) water supplies, which can be contaminated by waste.
A council spokesman added: "Due to the sheer volume of visitors to the Highlands – all visiting and stopping at key locations or hotspots for the same outstanding scenery and natural beauty – you might think you are alone when you are ‘caught short’ in the outdoors, but you are simply one of hundreds or thousands who have been there before you that week.
"The previous advice was to bury human waste in remote areas, but due to the high number of visitors in some places, it’s not safe for yourself, others or the environment – so where, possible bag it and bin it instead.
"Information and advice will be issued to visitors over the summer months on how to be responsible campers."
The new advice will include:
n Booking ahead – visitors will be encouraged to book campsites and to plan ahead and be considerate of others and Covid-19 restrictions.
n ‘Go’ before you go – a map of public toilets and the council's comfort scheme network will also be promoted to help visitors who are caught short when nature calls.
n 'Be prepared!' – plan to take bags (dog poo bags are ideal) and a sealed container to carry the bags, which can then be disposed of safely in a bin. Toilet paper and sanitary products should also go in the bag.
Elsewhere, motorhome users will be reminded to dispose of their grey waste and black waste responsibly at a chemical disposal point. The council said it was supporting the provision of a network of waste disposal facilities and the Campervan and Motorhome Professional Association (CAMPA) website has a full list of these at www.campa.org.uk/waste-disposal.
Hospitality, accommodation and visitor attraction owners are also being encouraged to share the "Bag it, Bin it!" social media messages to help spread the message.
And the council has also thrown its support behind the national Zero Waste Scotland Litter Campaign, “Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way”, which aims to encourage the public to bin their litter or take it home.
For more information on how to get involved email recycle@highland.gov.uk
