LITTERBUGS and flytippers could face much swifter and more punitive penalties as part of a campaign to clean up the country ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup next year.

With 2013 being the Year of Natural Scotland, and the eyes of the world turning to these major sporting attractions next year, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead told a litter summit in Edinburgh he was determined to see a clean-up to show the country at its best and not miss this huge opportunity to show the world Scotland's magnificence.

The most recent Scottish Household Survey showed one-quarter of Scots saw litter as a problem in their area.

The law treats littering and flytipping as potentially serious offences, with the courts able to fine those convicted up to £2500 for dropping litter and up to £40,000 and 12 months in prison for flytipping.

However, the vast majority of cases are not dealt with through the courts but through fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) issued by councils, and these are currently limited to a maximum of £50.

Mr Lochhead said: "Litter costs local authorities, transport providers and other businesses millions to clean up – and we all pay for it.

"We can each take personal responsibility for disposing of waste responsibly and avoid this unnecessary and expensive eyesore."

He added: "I encourage councils and the police to use their existing powers to issue litter and flytipping FPNs, and I will consult on whether it would be helpful if the level was raised from £50. Over the next few months we will work with local authorities and others to identify what the consultation should propose."

Derek Robertson, of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "With the eyes of the world on us as we host global events like the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games, thoughtless littering is damaging our country aesthetically and financially just at the time when we need to make Scotland shine.

"Litterers need to be sent a message that their behaviour is intolerable, and our Clean Up Scotland campaign aims to make littering as socially unacceptable in future as drink-driving is today."

Councillor Stephen Hagan, representing local authority umbrella body Cosla at the summit, said: "Significant local authority resources are spent tackling litter issues and, at a time of severe financial constraint, if costs can be avoided this would not only improve the environment but allow investment of these resources in the delivery of services.

"This development of a national litter strategy provides an opportunity to engage and explore the ways in which everyone can work together to reduce litter across Scotland."

Zero Waste Scotland is the Government programme that tackles the issue, and director Iain Gulland said: "We know the everyday problem of litter affects our streets, communities and environment, and Scotland wastes millions in clearing and cleaning this up and in the lost value of discarded materials that could be recycled."

The agency has spent almost £2 million this year on work to prevent litter and increase recycling, adding 2700 new recycling bins in more than 250 public places.

Mr Gulland said: "It's important there is active engagement by everyone who has a role to play in tackling litter.

"Through its work on recycling and resource management, the Zero Waste Scotland programme is looking at why people litter and what more could be done to prevent this."