Recycling in North Ayrshire

Please check individual sites to see any arrangements in place, as well as opening hours.

The following items can be recycled in:

Recycle plastic bags, soft plastic wraps, and liners in the following stores:

• Asda, Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine, KA12 8EH
• Co-op stores
• Morrisons stores
• Tesco (Superstores and Extras)

The above list may change, please check with your local supermarket.

When recycling, some items can be more difficult to dispose of than others. Please refer to this guidance if you are unsure.

We work with Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company (CFRC) to:

• reduce the number of household items and textiles going for final disposal
• increase the number of items which can be reused

CRFC may collect your household items free of charge if they are:

• reusable
• clean
• in good working condition

The Council and CFRC secured funding through the Scottish Government Recycling Improvement Fund. Suitable mattresses are collected, cleaned and sanitised for reuse.

CFRC will collect mattresses for reuse if the following standards are met. The mattress must:

• have a fire label that has the BS7177 noted
• be free from rips or tears
• not have been left outside
• not be wet
• not have signs of infestation
• not have a strong odour or smell

Complete the online form to:

or call CFRC on 0800 221 8083.

We accept mattresses which meet the above standards for reuse at our Household Waste Recycling Centres. Mattresses will be reused locally and nationally. Find out how to buy a reuse mattress.

CFRC may be able to collect mattresses that are not in reusable condition. This may incur a charge. These mattresses are broken down into parts for recycling. Mattresses must not be left outside or be wet.

Mattresses not suitable for reuse may be disposed of at your local HWRC or arrange a bulky waste collection.

We have changed the way we manage the disposal of upholstered furniture. This is due to new guidance about Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS). POPs are organic chemical substances which pose a risk to the environment if not managed correctly. Upholstered furniture includes:

• settees, sofas, sofa beds
• armchairs, including electric reclining chairs
• home office chairs, upholstered kitchen and dining chairs
• futons and pouffes
• upholstered stools and footstools
• beanbags
• floor and sofa cushions

This list includes any parts made of, or containing:

• leather
• synthetic leather
• other fabric, or foam

If an item is in good condition and still usable, consider donating to Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company.

Some retailers offer a take back scheme, contact them to find out.

Upholstered furniture cannot be disposed of in bins, or at the kerbside. It should be kept separate from all other waste.

Items may be disposed of as follows:

• Household Waste Recycling Centres - Where possible, keep the item in one piece. Cover and wrap any ripped, torn or exposed areas to reduce the risk of potential pollutants entering the environment. It must be kept separate from other types of waste. We have introduced skips for these items. Please place items in the appropriate collection skip. If you aren’t sure, ask one of our attendants.
• Bulky waste collection - Damaged upholstered furniture should be covered when presented for bulky waste collection. Use sheeting or tarpaulin. This will be non-returnable.

Waste will be sent for energy recovery in line with legislative guidance. Any waste containing POPs will be safely incinerated to generate energy. This ensures chemicals are destroyed or irreversibly transformed. This is to stop it being released into the wider environment.

POPs may be present in upholstered furniture as a result of a flame-retardant chemical. This chemical has been banned since 2019 and is no longer used.

Household soft furnishings have fire retardants applied to meet Fire Safety Standards.

Soft furnishing bought as new since 2019 should not contain fire-retardants with POPs.

Some fire-retardants contain POPs at levels that are not a cause for concern to the environment.

Risk of exposure to POPs from upholstered furniture is low. To reduce risk, vacuum upholstered furniture regularly. Repair any damage.

Dismantling upholstered furniture increases the risk of pollutants being released and may increase exposure.