Next up is the Scottish Islands Federation Marine Litter Working Group (MLWG). This dedicated group of volunteers are making a tangible difference in safeguarding the pristine beauty of Scotland's island communities from the pervasive threat of marine litter. They are affiliated to our Ocean Recovery Project (ORP) whose aim is empower beach cleans, increase recycling rates and develop new techniques for recycling ‘hard to recycle’ plastics.
Embodying the ORP’s ethos, the Scottish Islands Federation’s MLWG was formed with a clear and important mission: to tackle marine litter across Scotland’s island communities. They achieve this by fostering collaboration, sharing valuable knowledge, and promoting sustainable, community-led solutions to reduce, manage, and prevent marine litter pollution. Through advocacy, education, and partnership, their ultimate goal is to protect fragile island ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities for generations to come.
Scottish Islands FederationNot only does it support local environmental action on the ground, but it also contributes significantly to national and international efforts to understand and address marine litter on a broader scale.
The SIF-MLWG is composed of approximately a dozen representatives of local environmental organisations from across the Scottish islands, along with several representatives from key stakeholder organisations. While the group itself does not directly organise regular litter-picks, it plays an important coordinating role in supporting and enabling action across island communities, and in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch programme, the group coordinates a citizen science initiative involving quarterly marine litter surveys across the islands. The surveys are carried out by dozens of dedicated individuals, and volunteers from a range of local organisations, who undertake beach cleans and surveys on a regular basis throughout the year.
The group is having a growing and positive impact on island communities. By supporting local action, they directly contribute to tackling marine pollution and raising crucial awareness about its environmental, economic, and social consequences. They foster a spirit of collaboration and facilitate the sharing of best practices, which in turn strengthens community resilience, supports environmental stewardship, and ultimately promotes a cleaner, healthier marine environment for everyone who lives on and visits the Scottish islands.
One of the groups proudest achievements is their coordination of the quarterly marine litter surveys across the Scottish islands, carried out in collaboration with the Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch program. The data collected through these surveys is invaluable. Not only does it support local environmental action on the ground, but it also contributes significantly to national and international efforts to understand and address marine litter on a broader scale. This ensures that the unique voices and experiences of island communities are heard and represented in wider policy discussions, leading to more informed and effective solutions.
Addressing the complex challenges of marine litter requires a united front, and the Scottish Islands Federation’s MLWG is proud to work in close collaboration with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders. This includes local environmental groups, national charities, industry representatives, researchers, recyclers, local authorities, and government bodies. By collaborating with organisations equally committed to protecting local coastlines, they've been able to broaden our impact and significantly strengthen collective efforts to tackle marine litter across the Scottish islands.
Given the significant challenges of recycling marine litter and the limited infrastructure available in the Highlands and Islands, the group are particularly proud of our longstanding partnership with the Ocean Recovery Project. This crucial collaboration has enabled a portion of the collected litter to be recycled, directly supporting the adoption of circular economy principles and promoting a more sustainable approach to marine waste management in our island communities.
This year alone, the group estimate that approximately seven tonnes of beach litter were removed during the cleans that contributed to the recycling uplift!
Even more impressively, the Ocean Recovery Project was able to deliver 690kg of rigid plastics and fishing net to recycling facilities at MYGroup and Milspeed. This is a truly fantastic achievement by all who contributed, demonstrating the power of partnership and dedication in creating a more sustainable future for Scotland's beautiful islands.
It also wouldn’t be made possible without the dedicated individuals and volunteer from local organisations who contribute to the group’s efforts. This Volunteer Celebration week, we’re proud to be able to spotlight the important work of the Scottish Islands Federations – Marine Litter Working Group.
*originally published 30/05/2025*