The party was registered by Sally Cogley, of Galston, two months before the election, due to her concern over issues of waste and littering.

[3] Prior to forming The Rubbish Party, Cogley was known locally for her anti-litter activism, having organised a series of social media campaigns against fly-tipping and dog fouling in the Loudoun (Irvine) Valley area.

[4][5] Cogley formed the party and launched her candidacy for office with a series of clean-up events in the local area and campaigned under such slogans as "Vote Sally for a better valley".

[3] Her campaign assured voters that she "aims to make the Irvine Valley a better place to work, live and visit.

[2] In June 2021, The Rubbish Party formed part of the leadership team of East Ayrshire Council alongside the Labour and Co-operative Party when Colgey was appointed as Depute provost, following a vote by Opposition Councillors to replace the incumbent SNP chairpersons.