Public Servant Lifestyle

The City of Edinburgh Council has launched the latest weapon in the battle against litter - two of the city's frontline cleansing staff. Two staff members have become the central characters in the new 'Keep Edinburgh Clean' television campaign.

Derek Bryant and Colin Blair are cleansing staff who operate out of the Council's Craigmillar depot. Both were originally filmed unscripted for a six minute educational video targeted specifically at community groups and schools. Their ability to convey the important message about ‘Keeping Edinburgh Clean’ struck such a chord with people of all ages that the Council decided that they would be absolutely perfect to front the new television campaign.

"Chuffed"

Derek Bryant (32), who was a cleansing officer when the ad was filmed but now Acting Task Force Manager for Morningside said: "I'm really chuffed about the ad. I think that it portrays cleansing staff in a serious but not too serious light. It gives the public a chance to see what we do on a daily basis and that is really important. A lot of people think we spend our day driving around in vans drinking tea and sleeping but the truth is that it is really hard work.

"We have a really important message to get across to the public that Edinburgh is a beautiful city but it is also their city. Some of the streets are particularly bad due to people dropping litter and we wanted to get over in a friendly manner that if everyone does their bit when it comes to disposing of litter then Edinburgh will be a nicer place to live.

"Originally, myself and Colin volunteered to be part of a video for the Council on litter. A lot of people really liked it and what you are seeing on TV at the moment is an edited version. My neighbours are really chuffed with the ad and think it is great. I've also had quite a few people come up to me and I've also had a few strange looks. Since the ad was made I've grown a bit of a beard. The other day in Matalan, an old lady came up to me and asked if I was the man from the advert. I was quite amazed that she managed to recognise me even though I've got a beard at the moment."

The 20-second advertisement, which will be shown throughout October on Scottish Television, is an edited version of that original educational video.

Cllr Robert Cairns, Executive Member, Environmental Services, The City of Edinburgh Council said: "The daily task of keeping a city the size of Edinburgh clean and tidy is a phenomenal challenge. The main reason why we have litter on our streets is because people throw their rubbish on the pavement rather than take it home or put it in the nearest bin.

"We felt that the best people to convey the message to the public about litter was the refuse collectors themselves. They are out on the streets of Edinburgh at all times of the day and night making sure that the city is kept as clean as possible. They take great pride in their work and all they are asking is for the public to do their bit to keep Edinburgh clean by disposing of their litter in a responsible manner."

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