When recycling, some items can be more difficult to dispose of than others. Please refer to our guidance below if you are unsure.
Asbestos
Please refer to our Asbestos disposal page.
Car Batteries
Car batteries are not accepted for disposal for at our Household Waste Recycling Centres. Garages providing a battery replacement service should facilitate the collection and recycling of used car batteries. Auto shops may take your old car battery for recycling. Alternatively, registered waste management companies or motor dismantlers may pay you for your old car battery.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers are not accepted for disposal for at our Household Waste Recycling Centres. Contact the company listed on the extinguisher for details of how to dispose of it.
Gas Canisters
Gas Canisters should be returned to the place of purchase.
Pesticides, weedkillers, slug pellets and other plant protection products
Contact the manufacturer for advice. These products should be used up as intended on the instruction label. Any leftover product should be taken to a registered waste management company for disposal. The Council is not licenced to dispose of these waste products.
Plasterboard
Plasterboard can be disposed of at Bartonholm HWRC where there is a dedicated skip for it. Kilbirnie and Largs Household Waste Recycling Centres will not accept plasterboard.
Soil
Soil has many environmental benefits such as aiding the growth of plants, providing a home for a multitude of organisms, and is a staple for the growth of crops which are a vital part of food chains. If possible, try to use this in your garden. If this is not possible, take it to Bartonholm Household Waste Recycling Centre. Kilbirnie and Largs Household Waste Recycling Centres will not accept soil.
Tyres
Tyres are not accepted for disposal for at our Household Waste Recycling Centres. Garages providing a tyre replacement service should facilitate the collection and disposal of used tyres. Alternatively, these can be taken to a registered waste management company for recycling.
Paint
Liquid paint is not collected at our household waste recycling centres. Consider whether you can donate leftover paint for reuse locally by contacting a local community group, charity, youth or religious group, art college, amateur dramatic society, sports club, neighbour, work colleague, relative or friend. For larger quantities of reasonable quality paint, consider advertising it on Gumtree, Freegle and Freecycle as well as other local advertising options.
If you are unable to reuse the paint you can find help and advice on how to harden paint on the Zero Waste Scotland website. Only paint that is fully hardened can be disposed of within the residual waste skips at the household waste recycling centres or in your general waste bin. You should pierce the dried paint first before taking it to a recycling centre to make sure it's fully hardened. If any liquid is still present, it cannot be accepted.