Shetland All Set For Another Spring Clean

Every year, since 1988, Shetland folk have got together to give the islands’ beaches and roadsides an annual spring clean in the event known as the Voar Redd Up. Voar is the dialect word for spring and redd up means to tidy up.

This year’s Redd Up, the thirtieth, will mainly take place over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd April, though the groups that take part may vary the dates a little to suit participants. As always, it’s being organised by Shetland Amenity Trust.

Once established, Da Voar Redd Up quickly became the largest community based voluntary clear up anywhere in the UK, with over 20% of Shetland’s population regularly volunteering for the event. Last year, 4,605 participants collected over 67 tonnes of bruck from roadside verges, beaches and coastline.

Sita Goudie, Environmental Improvement Project Officer with Shetland Amenity Trust, commented: “Now in its 30th year, Da Voar Redd Up has so far removed close to 1,800 tonnes of bruck from our environment. We look forward to welcoming back existing groups, as well as new volunteers, to this year’s event. It is these volunteers who make the Redd Up the success it is and they show just how committed Shetland is to caring for the environment. What is achieved through Da Voar Redd Up is incredible, and we hope 2017 will be as successful as ever.”

As well as providing an opportunity for the community to improve their environment, taking part in the Redd Up can raise funds for local groups through sponsorship, and businesses and schools can earn points towards environmental schemes and awards. Young Scot card-holders can also earn points through the Young Scot Reward Scheme.

Shetland Amenity Trust supplies gloves and bags for the Redd Up, and takes away all the bruck collected, free of charge. The bruck is then sorted by Augean North Sea Services in their base at Greenhead to remove all of the recyclable items. The rest is safely disposed of at the Shetland Islands Council Waste Management Facility.

The event is supported not only by the volunteers but also by a number of businesses and other organisations in Shetland and beyond. The Trust is grateful to Augean for providing their workforce and services free of charge and to Shetland Charitable Trust, World Animal Protection, BP Sullom Voe, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Shetland Islands Council.

Once again, the combined efforts of all those involved will ensure that Shetland looks its very best for the summer.