MORTON in the Community Trust is taking part in a pilot project to clean up football and kick out plastic waste.

They have teamed up with Inverclyde eco company Green Tangerine to join in with a wider study looking at how many bottles are thrown away by clubs.

As part of the project they will also be in training with Keep Scotland Beautiful to learn more about the impact single use plastic has on the environment and climate change.

Brian McLaughlin, Morton in the Community's chief executive, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with all the clubs to improve our carbon footprint across our community.

"We engage many participants across our programmes, and we want toB make small changes for a massive impact.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us to further develop our impact to Inverclyde and help support a better community.”

Green Tangerine, a community interest company, set up by eco group Literati Guide to Inverclyde, have set up the six month study, funded by the National Lottery and supported by the SFA.

Other clubs taking part include Giffnock Soccer Centre, Pollok United and Thorn Athletic along with charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Morton in the Community will complete a brief survey to record how many plastic bottles and cans and reusable bottles are used by players.

Coaches will then be trained by KSB about the impact of single use plastic and will share their learnings with players throughout the six months.

Families are being asked to complete a short two-minute survey in support of the study.

Vicky Cookson, project lead at Green Tangerine, said: “We are extremely grateful to partner with Keep Scotland Beautiful and the clubs to launch what is an important study.

"We couldn’t have done this without funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and the support of The Scottish FA."

Keep Scotland Beautiful development officer Heather Ashworth added: “We are very much looking forward to playing our part by helping coaches understand the climate emergency and plastic pollution problem as well exploring positive action that can be taken.

"We will be supplying monthly climate themed activity sheets to support training sessions throughout the pilot and look forward to inspiring players and coaches to take positive action for our environment."