Once the application form has been received, a Streetscene Officer will contact you to:

confirm your litter picking equipment requirements
establish what level of input you would like from the officer
answer any questions your group may have

You will be provided with a guidance leaflet for volunteering if you decide to carry out any volunteering activity to support the council’s Streetscene service.

General safety advice

It is important to follow the guidance below if you undertake any litter picking activities:

Be vigilant at all times. Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a good level of risk assessment.
Don’t confront anyone littering. Please don’t try and deal with aggressive behaviour or difficult people.
Be aware of uneven surfaces including cracked slabs, footpaths, steps and ramps.
Be aware of tree roots and stumps, shrub roots and low-level branches.
Don’t pick litter from areas that involve climbing steep bankings or grass verges.
Be aware of dangerous plants (for example giant hogweed) and possible adverse reactions.
Don’t touch or remove items which may be hazardous such as unidentified canisters or drums, poisons, or containers where the contents are unknown.
Please consider carrying a basic first aid kit that includes hand sanitiser.
As weather conditions can quickly change, check the forecast and do not litter pick in bad weather. This includes high winds, poor visibility and icy conditions.

The following recommendations should be noted to minimise the risk of accidents or injury:

volunteers should stick to pavements on road with maximum speed limit of 30mph (don’t pick litter from verges)
don’t pick litter on roundabouts
don’t try to move heavy items
report broken glass to North Ayrshire Council (if you wish to collect, remove using litter picker or a brush and shovel, avoid contact by hand and dispose of in a sturdy container)
when litter picking near a water course or water body, only pick up litter from a path. Keep at least five metres away from the water and do not work near steep/slippery banks, or deep, fast flowing water
ensure that litter to be collected by the council is stored safely and does not cause obstruction

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Voluntary litter picking

Collecting litter picking bags

Adopt-a-Spot initiative

Litter Lotto

Other volunteering activities