Litter, bins and street sweeping
We help keep South Lanarkshire clean by picking up litter, sweeping streets and emptying public bins. You can use this page to report litter, find out what we clean, and understand how to avoid a fine for dropping litter.
What we do
We look after the public spaces we own, including:
- roads and footpaths
- parks and open spaces
- play areas and cemeteries
- woodlands and watercourses
We sweep streets and empty council‑owned bins on a regular schedule. Some areas are cleaned more often than others, depending on how busy they are.
We cannot clean land that we do not own, and we are not legally responsible for keeping those areas free of litter.
Littering and fines
If you drop litter, or if we receive a report that you have done so, you can receive an £80 fixed penalty notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
How we monitor cleanliness
We take part in national cleanliness surveys run by Keep Scotland Beautiful. These checks take place three times a year and help us measure how clean our streets are compared with other councils.
Why litter prevention matters
Litter and fly‑tipping cause real problems. Areas that are not cared for can quickly look neglected, which may lead to graffiti, vandalism and other issues. Clearing litter also costs a lot of money each year, so we want to prevent it happening in the first place.
We all have a part to play. Putting litter in a bin, taking your waste home, or reporting problem areas helps us keep communities clean and reduces costs for everyone.