People of all ages across North Ayrshire are joining forces to urge residents and visitors to take greater pride in their communities by disposing of litter responsibly.
North Ayrshire Council says that while the majority of people and businesses dispose of their rubbish properly and recycle wherever possible, dropped litter continues to cause problems across streets, beaches, parks, rivers, countryside and other public spaces.
As well as making towns and villages look neglected, litter can block roadside gullies and drains and pose a serious threat to birds, animals and aquatic life.
The council currently spends around £3 million every year through its street cleansing service, including the collection and management of waste and efforts to deter environmental crime.
Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “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.
“The simple message is ‘Please don’t drop litter and put it in a bin.’”
Young people are also adding their voices to the campaign.
Irvine Royal Academy pupil Rebecca, 17, said she feels disappointed when she sees rubbish discarded 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,” she said.
Taylor, 16, regularly heads out with Kilwinning Litter Pickers alongside her sister Alexa, 19, and friend Millie, 15, helping to clean up their community two or three times a week.
“I got involved because my mum started with Kilwinning Litter Pickers, and we wanted to help keep the community clean and tidy,” Taylor said.
Jean Frew, from Three Towns Clean-Up Crew, said littering can “bring down” otherwise attractive towns and villages.
“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,” she said.
In the Garnock Valley, resident Liz Hood takes part in community litter clean-ups several times a year and said she has noticed a significant difference compared with when she was younger.
“When I was growing up, I don’t remember seeing so much mess. Now, people don’t seem to take pride in their environment,” she said.
Even some of North Ayrshire’s youngest residents are getting behind the message.
Four-year-old Grace, a pupil at West Kilbride Primary School’s Early Years Class, highlighted the dangers litter can pose to wildlife.
“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,” she said.
On Arran, VisitArran Chief Executive Sheila Gilmore said her daily walks to the beach regularly involve picking up rubbish left behind by others.
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 message from communities across North Ayrshire is a simple one: take your rubbish with you, use the nearest bin and help keep the area clean for everyone.