Beach and street cleaning

South Ayrshire Council is responsible for collection of litter from litter bins and sweeping of litter from public roads and Council owned land throughout the area.

Litter and dog waste bins are also provided and emptied on a regular basis by the Council, to ensure that we maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout South Ayrshire.

Report litter/fly-tipping problems

You can report a problem below or you can call us on 0300 123 0900.

Report street cleaning problems Report fly-tipping

Street Cleaning

Streets are cleaned as required depending on the amount of litter that is evident. Town centre streets and those streets near schools require more frequent cleaning.

The council’s waste management section spray weeds twice a year as required.

Beach Cleaning

The Council is responsible for cleaning amenity and recreational beaches under their ownership above the mean high water mark. Managed beaches require to be cleaned of litter in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse. This code specifies that managed beaches should be cleaned to Grade B standard (some small pieces of litter evident) throughout the year and there are varying response times for returning the beach to Grade B standard depending on whether the beach is an amenity or recreational beach. The definition of litter does not apply to seaweed, and the presence of seaweed is beneficial to beach ecology. Mechanical cleaning of beaches should not be carried out near sand dunes or other sensitive beach areas. There are a number of private beaches in South Ayrshire for which the Council is not responsible for cleaning.

When are the beaches cleaned?

South Ayrshire Council is responsible for cleaning its own Amenity beaches during the months May to September. Some additional cleaning may be carried out during the winter months as required. A number of beaches are privately owned although there is no responsibility on the owners to clean their beaches unless they are managed as amenity beaches. For further information call 0300 123 0900.

When are the bins emptied?

The litter bins on the beaches are emptied as required throughout the year. We have additional squads working on our beaches and parks during the summer months to cope with any increases in tourists due to good weather.

I am organising a voluntary beach cleanup. Can I get help with protective gloves, litter pickers and removal of the rubbish collected?

Yes. Contact the Waste Awareness Team on 0300 123 0900.