Reducing what you put in your bin

We are exceeding Scottish Government targets set for recycling rates, but we are still generating a lot of waste.

We can all cut the amount of waste we produce and throw away by Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

• repair it – don’t throw away items that could be fixed
• buy durable goods of quality rather than disposable items
• shop sustainably to reduce packaging (buy loose items where available, such as tea, fruit, cereals). Try to avoid purchasing items in plastic film.
• make a shopping list and only buy what you need
• buy what is in season and help reduce transportation of supplies
• check out how to reduce food waste – visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for information and tips
• buy large economy sized products instead of singular wrapped items – avoid single-use cleaning products
• consider buying more environmentally friendly washing up liquids, powders and soaps with less packaging (select products in refillable containers or concentrated products)
• stop unwanted mail (over a third of all direct mail is thrown straight in the blue bin unopened). Follow our five steps to stop unwanted mail.
• try alternative wrapping products which are environmentally friendly and will reduce packaging waste

• always use reusable cups and bottles
• use reusable bags
• use a Circular Communities Scotland company for sustainable circular goods and services
• Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company offers a free uplift service for quality reusable furniture. Please visit their website or call 0800 221 8083 for updated information on items they currently collect.
• donate clothes and knick-knacks to your favourite high street charity shop
• use real nappies instead of disposable ones
• try upcycling
• consider home composting
• exchange books with friends and family, or
• donate to North Ayrshire Cancer Care bookshops in Largs and West Kilbride
• drop off bikes at your local HWRC and these will be collected and reused by Killie can Cycle. Or check with the place the bike was bought as they may offer a take back scheme
• donate furniture to a local Furniture Re-distribution Scheme, or
• use online platforms to sell within the local community

• visit our what goes in each bin page to note what can be recycled at the kerbside and ensure Right Stuff goes in the Right Bin
• clothes and textiles, wood and scrap, furniture and electrical goods can be recycled at your nearest collection point
• for hard to recycle items that can't be collected at the kerbside, TerraCycle offer other solutions. For example, you can recycle your old medicine blister packs at Superdrug, Aitken Street, Largs. Please visit TerraCycle to find out what other items can be recycled at various locations
• recycle your soft plastic wrap and carriers at participating supermarkets noted below
• there are many drop off/return schemes available for coffee pods. Contact your coffee pod provider for ways to become involved

For more inspiration, visit Zero Waste Scotland and Recycle Now. Stores in North Ayrshire currently offering this service are:

• Asda, Irvine store
• Co-op stores (soft plastic packaging in all mainland stores, plastic bags in mainland stores over 3000sq ft)
• Morrisons stores
• Tesco, Superstores and Extras

The above list may change from time to time, please check with your local supermarket for details.

If you have limited space in your bin store or large volumes of bins that are only half full or not being used, you could benefit from a bin buddy system. This is where you and your neighbours share a bin or collection of bins.

You may want to go even further and decide to have a communal sharing system (there may be a cost incurred for bins). This is where all bins in your close, street or cul de sac are shared.

You would all need to agree to buddying and decide who would be responsible taking the bins out. But we can support you by removing the bins or facilitating discussions.

If you feel you and your neighbours would benefit from such a buddy sharing system, please contact the Waste Awareness Team, see contact details below.

During high winds, bins with a small amount of waste can be blown over. This is more likely with the blue and purple bins containing lighter recycling materials. This could lead to rubbish being blown around your street.

If you are concerned about this during periods of high winds, consider waiting until your next collection day to put your bin out. You can also take your waste to your local HWRC.

If your bin doesn't need to be emptied:

• make sure bins are closed and secure
• don't put your bin out too early, we recommend you put your bin out on the morning of collection, before 7am
• put your bin alongside a shelter, such as a wall or a fence (if a shelter is available on the kerbside)
• if there is no shelter at the kerbside, place bins in clusters with your neighbours’ bins
• weigh the bin down if possible
• bring your bin in as soon as possible after collection

Every year bins are either blown over in the wind or the lid is blown open allowing waste and recycling to escape. It goes into our streets, marine environment and waterways causing unwanted litter and pollution. This in turn can have a devastating effect on marine animals and wildlife. By securing your bin lid you can help to stop waste from polluting the environment. It will reduce litter in your area and help to minimise the issues associated with:

• flies
• vermin
• seagulls

gaining access to the waste.

To avoid waste escaping, ensure to:

• not to overfill your bin
• store bins behind suitable fencing/walls
• use bin handle brackets to secure your bin to the wall or fence
• use a bungee cord across your bin to keep the lid in place
• use a simple bike chain (remove before collection service)
• use a piece of old slab or brick to weigh down your lid
• don't put your bin out the night before, they should be presented at 7am on collection day

Some other mechanisms are available online by searching ‘securing my bin.’

Please ensure we are able to service whatever secure measure you consider.

Wheeled bins are expensive to replace. Ensure you keep it secure within your property. Only place the bin out for collection on your collection day.

Police Scotland recommend the following steps:

• add your house number and postcode to your bin using paint or marker
• keep your bin in your back garden or out of sight in a garage or shed
• try to retrieve your bin as soon as possible after the council have collected
• secure your bin using methods mentioned above to attach to your property

• be aware of what the Right Stuff is for the Right Bin
• don’t let anyone else use your bin
• keep your bin in your property or out of sight in a garage or shed
• try to retrieve your bin as soon as possible after the council have collected
• keep the lid closed to reduce rain water ingress