Visitors are being urged not to litter when enjoying days out or staycationing in East Ayrshire this year as Zero Waste Scotland launch new campaign: Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way to emphasise the message.

The campaign, which aims to inspire people to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving litter behind them, is backed by East Ayrshire Council which has created posters and other graphics letting visitors know that East Ayrshire is Stunning – Let’s Keep it that Way.

Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Older People and Community Safety said: “East Ayrshire’s unspoilt scenery and parks play a vital role in encouraging people to enjoy our region and support businesses, but this can only happen if areas of beauty remain in their original pristine state.

“We are working hard with our partners, including Zero Waste Scotland and Police Scotland, to target environmental crime. The Council’s Corporate Enforcement Unit is patrolling, investigating and fining those caught littering and fly tipping and we have community groups working closely with our Outdoor Services team collecting litter and organising community clean ups. Together we want to stamp out environmental crime. We live in a beautiful rural area with wonderful tourism opportunities – let’s keep it that way!”

As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can also be a danger to young children and animals, and it is estimated that 80% of marine litter washing up on our beaches starts out on land.

For community groups and other local organisations keen to spread the message to daytrippers and staycationers to bin litter or take it home, a free downloadable campaign toolkit is available online including customisable digital tools and posters.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “We welcome this new campaign highlighting the beauty of Scotland and all it has to offer. Litter levels across Scotland are unacceptable, and in many places are getting much worse. Alongside this campaign we will continue to offer support to all those who have already stepped up to tackle this problem in their own communities with litter clean ups and projects to improve and protect the places they care about.”