Dundee City Council needs to provide more bins to cope with the litter left on Broughty Ferry beach, according to Friends of the Earth.
The environmental organisation’s Tayside Beachwatch Group has been out collecting the leftover drinks cans, disposable barbecues and food packaging left on the sands during the hot weather.
It has claimed the council’s service is not up to scratch.
However, the local authority has hit back, saying it has a “robust and effective approach” to litter.
The recent spell of hot weather has seen crowds of people flocking to the beach.
Doug McLaren from the Beachwatch Group said that, aside from the rubbish which is simply left on the beach, the group has come across many examples of bins overflowing, unable to cope with the quantity of waste.
“It’s pathetic really,” he said. “The current range of bins just can’t handle the rubbish. The system for coping with the effluent isn’t up to scratch.”
Mr McLaren added that a change in the way takeaways are packaged has only exacerbated the problem.
He said when fish and chips were wrapped in newspaper, the leftover waste was easier to dispose of.
“Now they are contained within a large insulated box, often made of polystyrene or cardboard, which is more difficult to fit in the bin.”
Mr McLaren said the waste was spoiling the Ferry’s award-winning beach.
“Broughty beach and environs is our number one natural asset and we need a first-class servicing approach worthy of its setting.
“Let’s have attractive coloured bins which are fit for purpose and serviced appropriately.”
He added that the council could do more to make use of volunteers.
“At Monifieth the eco-force are doing good litter picks on their beach and Angus Council is supporting them with equipment,” he said.
“I don’t think Dundee Council do enough to harness the voluntary aspect.”
But Craig Melville, the city council’s environment convener, said the authority worked hard to maintain the beach.
“Broughty Ferry beach has enjoyed national beach resort award status for the last 10 years because of ongoing efforts by the council and its partners to make sure it meets the highest standards of cleanliness.
“Dundee City Council has worked very closely with the local community through the Broughty Ferry Beach Management Group to help improve the quality of the facilities available to the public at the beach.
“An important element of successfully achieving the award for 10 years is being able to demonstrate a robust and effective approach to dealing with beach litter.
“This involves cleaning the sand by machine on a daily basis. We also empty bins around the beach regularly throughout the day, with this operation continuing until 9pm.”
Mr Melville added: “I am delighted that people are visiting the beach in huge numbers during this hot spell and I am pleased that the vast majority of them are being responsible with their litter.”