Scots family’s daily litter-picking is ‘way of life’ with kids starting aged one

**Scots Family’s Daily Litter-Picking Becomes “Way of Life” with Kids Starting Aged One**

A Scottish couple has incorporated litter-picking into their daily routine, passing on the eco-warrior ethos to their children from as young as one year old. Mike Scotland, who began removing litter from the streets in his 20s to combat mental health struggles, has now embedded this practice into his family’s lifestyle. Using grabbers and bin bags, Mike, now 33 and a health and safety adviser, noticed litter everywhere he went and gradually increased his efforts in cleaning up the streets.

His dedication led to the establishment of a weekly community cleanup initiative named Community Clean Up. Mike, along with his wife Nikki Dalton, 34, a health and safety assurance manager, involved their children in the process. Their son Lucio, now six, started litter-picking at the age of one, followed by their four-year-old daughter Milania. The family, including their 16-month-old daughter Lexi, now carry litter-picking tools wherever they go, with even the youngest member, Lexi, showing a keen interest in the activity.

Mike mentioned that they have gathered “thousands” of bin bags’ worth of litter and have no plans to halt their efforts. The family’s litter-picking routine extends to outings at parks, where they pick up rubbish before engaging in other activities. According to Mike, their children understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and view litter-picking as a natural and essential part of their daily lives.

In 2019, Mike, facing mental health challenges, found solace in litter-picking along the River Don in Aberdeen. His experience led him to establish the Community Clean Up group, attracting like-minded individuals to participate in weekly cleanups along the river. Mike’s passion for environmental conservation has permeated through his family, with his children readily embracing the practice.

Mike’s approach towards educating his children on environmental responsibility involves using litter-picking as a hands-on method to instil values of waste disposal and its long-term impact. By integrating this eco-conscious mindset into their daily routine, Mike expressed pride in how naturally his children, even his toddler, have embraced litter-picking.

The family’s commitment to maintaining a clean environment serves as a model for others, demonstrating that small acts can create significant positive changes within communities. Through their collective efforts, the Scotland family exemplifies the impact of instilling eco-awareness from a young age.

*Insights and Summary:*
The Scotland family’s dedication to daily litter-picking showcases the transformative power of individual actions towards environmental conservation. By involving their children in these efforts from a young age, the family not only promotes a cleaner community but also instils essential values of responsibility and stewardship. Mike’s journey from personal struggles to community activism highlights the profound impact of simple yet consistent actions in fostering environmental consciousness. The Scotland family serves as an inspiring example of how collective commitment to small-scale initiatives can lead to meaningful change, making their story a testament to the importance of instilling eco-friendly practices in daily life.