Strategic Objectives:
- Enhancement of visual amenity and public enjoyment of the countryside
- Encouragement of environmental awareness
- Encouragement and development of waste minimisation, re-use and
recycling strategies
- Development and implementation of litter prevention initiatives
Da Voar Redd Up
The 17th annual Voar Redd Up was again a huge success with over 90 tonnes of
bruck uplifted by 3,400 registered volunteers from all parts of Shetland.
The Voar Redd Up continues to be the largest community led clear up
throughout the UK with significant resources deployed by the Trust to ensure
its success. The Redd Up makes a considerable contribution with regards to
the local environment and visual amenity of Shetland.
This year's Redd Up was again sponsored by BP Sullom Voe Terminal with
significant support from local business and Shetland's Community Councils.
The Voar Redd Up continues to command strong Partnership working involving
Scottish Natural Heritage, Shetland Islands Council, Scottish Environment
Protection Agency, Shetland Islands Tourism and The Association of Shetland
Community Councils.
This year also saw Da Voar Redd Up recognised by the United Nations as an
Example Of Best Practice to Improve the Living Environment.
Mini Redd Ups and Adopt a Beach
The Trust continues to support communities in their desire to clean up their
local beaches throughout the year. An additional 25 tonnes of bruck was
removed from approximately 23 locations through this initiative.
Environmental Improvement
The Trust has an active and ongoing programme of closure and clearance of
illegal fly-tipping sites. During this year, a major historic dump Sandwick
was cleared and landscaped resulting in an area that will form part of a
coastal walkway.
The Trust also assisted communities in Papa Stour, Skerries and Foula in the
clearance of large amounts of scrap and associated bruck throughout the
year.
Muck and Bruck Squads
Shetland Amenity Trust operate two Muck and Bruck Squads, one servicing the
mainland of Shetland, the other the North Isles. Both Squads offer a free
comprehensive service for the removal of scrap vehicles, scrap iron,
redundant agricultural machinery and other bulky items. Over 900 vehicles
(many of them illegally abandoned) were uplifted, as too was a significant
amount of associated bruck. The Squads' work within the community has a
major effect on the visual amenity of Shetland.
The North Isles Squad also maintain a Waste Transfer Station in Yell which
depollutes scrap vehicles prior to recycling. During the year, a depollution
Centre was constructed in Yell to comply with End of Life Vehicle
Regulations.
The Squads play a crucial role in many of the Trust's other activities
including Da Voar Redd Up (and adopt a beach), Alu-can recycling, agri-plastic
recycling and other initiatives which present a high "added valueaspect to
the Squads' work.
Aluminium Can Recycling
The Trust facilitates aluminium can recycling throughout Shetland. Over 80
collecting groups take part, raising valuable funds for themselves.
This
year, just over 4 tonnes of aluminium cans were collected, processed and
sent for recycling.
The Trust has facilitated (with assistance from funding partners) the siting
of Public Can Banks throughout Shetland which has received very good support
resulting in more than 17 tonnes of cans being diverted from Landfill.
Agricultural Plastic Recycling
Over 18 tonnes of agri-plastics were collected for recycling this year from
nearly 200 participating crofts. This project not only acts as a valuable
recycling opportunity but also as a high profile anti-litter initiative,
removing large amounts of problematic black plastics from many parts of
Shetland. The scheme is strongly supported by Shetland's crofting community.
This year's scheme has been funded by Scottish Executive Landfill Tax
Transitional Funding.
Inkjet Cartridge Recycling
The Trust continues to encourage the recycling of Inkjet Cartridges
throughout Shetland. Over 60 clubs, offices and organisations are now
participating in this popular scheme.
Seasonal Christmas Card Recycling
In partnership with The Royal Mail and The Post Office, Shetland Amenity
Trust collected over 1.7 tonnes of Christmas Cards throughout all parts of
Shetland for recycling. This was again one of the highest recorded figures
(per head of population) throughout the UK for Christmas Card recycling.
Community Re>Paint Scheme
The Community Re>paint scheme remains popular with nearly 800 litres of
paint reused by community groups throughout Shetland.
Salvage and Re-use of High Quality Building Materials
The Trust has an ongoing programme of salvage and reuse of high quality
building materials such as stone, slate, timbers, etc. for use within
community projects. This initiative has diverted an estimated 100 tonnes of
materials from Landfill. This year's scheme has been funded by Scottish
Executive Landfill Tax Transitional Funding.
Glass Recycling
Enviroglass has flourished over the last year with a number of recycled
glass products available including recycled glass paving slabs, shotblasts,
decorative garden beads and aggregate replacements.
Enviroglass won the National Award in the Small Business Section promoted by
VIBES (Vision In Business for the Environment of Scotland).
Litter Prevention
Litter prevention remains a Key Priority for Shetland Amenity Trust. A
continuing programme of education within most of Shetland's primary schools
took place delivering the Litter Prevention and Recycling Roadshows.
Provision of litter bins was also undertaken to a number of youth groups and
schools. Free hire of "dome top" litter bins were also widely used for
community events.
Shetland Amenity Trust continues to undertake the monitoring of Shetland's
roadsides for the presence of litter (in partnership with Shetland Islands
Council).
The sale of Bruck Boxes remains popular with over 80 being sold this year.
The Trust remains partners in a number of Litter Prevention Committees.
A number of local events and shows were attended, giving information and
raising awareness of litter prevention.
A large number of Dunna Chuck Bruck stickers and other merchandise was
issued this year as too were a number of litter prevention posters.
Shetland Environmental Awards
The 16th annual Shetland Environmental Awards were presented by Florence
Grains and Brian Gregson. The Awards, co-ordinated by Shetland Amenity Trust
and the Shetland Environment Group are now a high point in the environmental
calendar for local community groups and businesses undertaking environmental
activities.
This year, 11 Awards were made spanning environmental
improvement, recycling, conservation of the built heritage, waste
minimisation, litter prevention and sustainable design.
The Award winners were:
This year's Shetland Environmental Awards were presented in Partnership with
Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Shetland Environment Group
Shetland Amenity Trust facilitates the Shetland Environment Group, a multi
agency group set up to advise and assist the Trust fulfil its environmental
objectives. Partners in this group include Shetland Islands Council, Scottish
Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Shetland Islands
Tourism and the Association of Shetland Community Councils.
Outside Agencies
Shetland Amenity Trust assists local and national agencies with regards to their
environmental objectives. During the year, the Trust assisted in the following
areas:
- Keep Scotland Beautiful
- Shetland Area Waste Plan - National Waste Strategy
- Shetland Litter Prevention Plan
- Shetland Islands Council Environment Forum
- Waste Research Action Programme
- Scottish Waste Awareness Group
External Funding
Shetland Amenity Trust has been successful in obtaining external funding from
the following agencies (with regards to waste minimisation, recycling and
environmental improvement):
- Landfill Tax (ENTRUST)
- Shetland Islands Council
- BP Sullom Voe Terminal
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- Shetland Enterprise Company
- Shetland Islands Council Economic Development Unit
National Achievements
The Trust's work with regards to recycling, waste minimisation, litter
prevention and environmental improvement continues to attract national
recognition and attention.
The Trust (with regard to Environmental Improvement) achieved the following:
- Winner - National Award in the Small Business
Section promoted by VIBES (Vision In Business for the
Environment of Scotland)
- Recognised by the United Nations as an Example Of Best
Practice to Improve the Living Environment
- Gold Award - Green Tourism Business Awards Scheme
