A seafront business says its efforts to be eco-friendly are going to waste if public recycling bins cannot be provided.

Owner of the Fish Works, Tiffany Irvin says businesses in the town are spending a small fortune to make their packaging eco-friendly, but it defeats the purpose if there are no recycling bins available.

The chip shop owner says that businesses are paying over the odds for recyclable products to do their bit but are ending up in landfill as the public have no choice but to use general waste bins.

She said: “All of our packaging can be recycled and there are lots of take away businesses around the town that are also making these changes.

“But is seems to defeat the purpose if there are no suitable bins for the public to use.

“We have the biggest commercial blue bin you can get, and we take what we can from our customers but come the start of the week its full.

“There isn’t even the option for us to have our commercial bins lifted more, they just don’t do it.

“The public are aware of the problems plastic cause and want to help, but this is very limiting.”

Tiffany says that suitable containers took them months to decide on and cost 12p each compared to a much cheaper plastic alternative.

However, she added: “We are paying a lot more for the biodegradable packaging because we know it is worth it when you see what plastic is doing to the sea.

“We received our green tourism award for all of our environmental efforts but then town isn’t equipped to dispose of the rubbish properly.

“I know that the council are struggling with budgets and this kind of thing won’t be rolled out over night but its something that needs to be looked at long term.”

Whilst the recent introduction of more bins along the prom and twilight shifts is said to have significantly reduced the litter problem, the issue of recycling is still being looked at.

Councillor Ian Murdoch said: “Over the last few months I have managed to acquire the extra bins and shifts between the pier and the end of the car park.

“I understand that this is the busiest area for litter, but these changes have already seen a significant difference in the prom and its waste.

“I have previously requested that the council look in to the possibility of the recycling bins in the area.

“My concern would be that instead of solely putting empty packaging in the bins, that food stuff would also be put in them, contaminating the rubbish, meaning none of it could be recycled anyway.”

“As always rubbish is a concern, we are exploring the possibility of purchasing compactor bins through the car parking fund however this would only be if enough funds were available.”

Tiffany also noted that despite the good weather and increasing number of visitors that the prom was looking good thanks to the recent changes, however should continue to better itself.

She added: “I’m not naïve enough to think there wouldn’t be teething problems and that it would work straight away.

“There would be issues with the waste being contaminated but people want to help and they would learn, its not a new concept.

“People recycle at home and are capable of separating their rubbish and are happy to do it.

“They have these bins in bigger towns and cities like Glasgow, so it does work, and people are aware of them.

“It would be good for Largs to be seen to be doing something and showing they are a community that cares.”