STRIKING bins decorated with seabirds have appeared in North Berwick.
The Big Belly Bins have been placed along the town's seafront, featuring seabirds that frequent the Forth.
The bins' installation was part of a concerted effort by a variety of local groups, led by Sustaining North Berwick, to tackle litter issues in the town in a unique way.
These type of bins have 10 times the capacity of a standard street bin, use smart technology to inform the local authority when they are full, and are enclosed to prevent them being raided by gulls.
Recognising the ongoing issue of overflowing bins which saw debris blown around the beach and into the sea, Sustaining North Berwick gathered together East Lothian Council, the Scottish Seabird Centre, community council, area partnership representatives, North Berwick In Bloom, Caledonian Horticulture and others to discuss potential options.
Hosted by Steampunk Cafe, the groups quickly established that the increased capacity and efficient technology of the enclosed Big Belly Bins in key areas offered an ideal solution.
To enhance the attraction and entice use of the bins, it was decided that they should be decorated with the seabirds that grace North Berwick's shores.
Seabirds were chosen as a way to link the town's avian heritage and highlight the need to protect the seaside environment and its fragile bird habitat.
Six local artists stepped up to make the vision a reality: Steven Butcher, Lorraine Miller, Julia Zeller-Jacques, Rachel Marshall, Susan Cameron and Helen Wyllie.
The Seabird Centre will also be hosting an art exhibition from July to October that will showcase the works to visitors and educate them about the project.
Ruth Hunter Pepper, of Sustaining NB, was delighted to see the hard work of groups around the town finally come to fruition.
She said: "This has been a collaborative community effort made possible by the generous financial support of North Berwick Trust, St Andrew Blackadder congregation, North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, North Berwick Community Council, North Berwick Rotary and Stella Moffat Trust.
"Our six talented local artists have given us their time, talent and skills and produced beautiful artwork, and it’s really special that the Scottish Seabird Centre are hosting this unique art exhibition as part of their continued commitment to protecting our marine environment.
"The input, support and positive encouragement of everyone involved has been tremendous."
A QR code is also displayed on each bin with more information on the birds and what happens to the rubbish after it gets collected, encouraging people to be more responsible with their litter.
Entrance to the exhibition is included with a Scottish Seabird Centre Discovery Experience ticket.
Visitors can also see the exhibition free via access from the centre’s boat office at North Berwick Harbour. A donation of £5 is suggested to the Seabird Centre charity.
It will be open daily from 10am to 6pm.
The bins will be emptied and maintained by East Lothian Council.
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