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Appeal for people to dispose of litter responsibly
People of all ages across the six localities have united to appeal for more civic pride and less dropped litter in North Ayrshire. Most residents, visitors and businesses dispose of litter responsibly and recycle whenever possible. However, litter being dropped irresponsibly in our streets, beaches, parks, public spaces, rivers and countryside creates problems including:
- blocking roadside gullies and drains
- threatening the safety of birds, animals and aquatic life and
- generally creating a rundown look to our towns and villages.
The Council currently spends around £3million annually through its street cleansing function, which includes managing the waste collected and trying to deter environmental crime.
Quote: We live in a beautiful area, but it is blighted by littering. As a local authority, we do our best to collect litter as often and frequently as we can. The problem would be much better if people put their own litter in a street bin when they are out and about, or took it home and put it in their own bin. There are lots of things communities can do to help with the littering, including volunteering to take part in a beach clean or a litter pick. If you have the time, this would be greatly appreciated. The simple message is ‘Please don’t drop litter and put it in a bin.’
Quote from: Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
Irvine Royal Academy pupil Rebecca, 17, and fellow pupil Muir, 15, say they feel “disappointed” when they see litter that has been dropped around the town. “It’s easy enough just to put it in your pocket and take it home – or if you see it on the ground, pick it up and stick it in a bin,” said Rebecca.
Jean Frew, of Three Towns Clean-Up Crew, says dropping litter “brings down” the lovely towns and villages in the area.
“It’s a shame that it gets dropped. It makes the place look uncared for, but there are lots of people who do really care about their local environment - and we have a good volunteer group. I would say ‘If you see a bit of litter, pick it up and put it in the nearest bin'.”
Taylor, 16, picks litter two or three times weekly with Kilwinning Litter Pickers along with her sister Alexa, 19 and friend Millie, 15.
“I got involved because my mum started with Kilwinning Litter Pickers, and we wanted to help keep the community clean and tidy," she said.
Garnock Valley resident Liz Hood takes part in community litter clean-ups a few times every year. “When I was growing up, I don’t remember seeing so much mess. Now, people don’t seem to take pride in their environment.
“Seeing litter that has been dropped makes me quite angry because you’re never that far away from a dustbin, and everybody has pockets. If it’s your rubbish, stick it in your pocket and put it in a bin, said Liz.
Four-year-old Grace is a pupil at West Kilbride Primary School’s Early Years Class, and she is concerned about litter’s impact on wildlife, saying: “If someone drops litter, they need to pick it up and put it in the bin or birds and animals will get tangled and eat it… and feel sick.”
Sheila Gilmore, Chief Executive of VisitArran, said her daily walks to the beach often involve picking up other people’s rubbish and binning it. She added: “Everybody can, surely, put their litter in a bin. Also, if you see litter pick it up and put it in a bin.”
The Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers can issue Fixed Penalty Notices of £80 to people who drop litter.
Streetscene Officers can offer support to community groups who arrange litter picks, with free litters pickers and bags available. The team will also uplift bags of rubbish collected at organised events.
The Council also supports an Adopt-A-Spot initiative, which sees volunteers improving litter blackspots and making our streets, parks and beaches better for everyone.
It offers structured support for groups of litter pickers who want to concentrate their efforts on a particular area like a park, a beach or a housing estate.
Published: 11 August 2026