East Ayrshire Council is set to invest in cleaner communities.
To include hundreds of new and replacement street bins, additional staff and thousands more appointments at the Western Road recycling centre.
Elected members welcomed the improvement package at a recent meeting of Full Council as part of efforts to tackle litter, fly-tipping and other environmental problems across East Ayrshire.
The plans include the installation of 200 new street bins and the replacement of 500 damaged bins that are no longer fit for purpose.
A further 19 posts will be created within the council’s Cleaner Communities service to improve street cleaning and waste removal, while six new vehicles will also be purchased.
The additional vehicles and staffing are expected to allow bulky waste uplifts to be completed within five working days and reduce the current 28-day timescale for removing fly-tipping.
The council’s Depute Chief Executive for Communities and Economy will now engage with employees and trade unions over the proposed introduction of a seven-day Cleaner Communities service.
Access to the Western Road recycling centre in Kilmarnock will also be increased by reducing appointment slots from 20 minutes to 10 minutes.
The change is expected to create an additional 32,864 appointments every year and will be introduced as quickly as possible.
The investment follows an independent review of Greener Communities, which was approved on January 29, 2026.
Most Greener Communities services are due to transfer to Ayrshire 360 in April 2027. Ayrshire 360 will service bins in parks and cemeteries, while responsibility for street bins, removing fly-tipping and collecting bulky waste will remain with East Ayrshire Council.
Councillor Jim McMahon, the council’s spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, said the investment would respond directly to concerns raised by residents.
He said: “We know from the Greener Communities review that we are doing some things really well, such as bereavement services and the gull management action plan, which is being replicated by other local authorities.
“But we also know that improvements, and importantly investment, have to be made in Cleaner Communities to improve the service currently being delivered.
“Significantly increasing the number of appointments available at Western Road recycling centre will make a huge difference and directly responds to feedback from our communities.
“Two hundred new street bins, 500 damaged bins being replaced, 19 additional posts and beginning engagement with staff and trade unions with the aim of introducing a seven-day service is all great news that will undoubtedly have a positive impact across East Ayrshire.”
Councillor McMahon said the council would continue using deployable cameras at known fly-tipping locations and investigating environmental offences so those responsible could be reported and charged.
The Corporate Enforcement Unit will also continue working with schools to encourage children and young people to dispose of waste responsibly.
Other initiatives include a bin sensor trial in Stewarton and the use of compacting street bins in Kilmarnock.
Councillor McMahon added: “Environmental crime is widespread. It is a scourge on streets and roads throughout Scotland, and there needs to be a cultural change that makes littering and fly-tipping unacceptable.
“The council is trying to lead change locally, but we need the support of our communities. This must be a partnership.”