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Council’s free summer compost giveaway is back

A man shovelling compost with a blue sky in the background and a small, white Council van in the foreground

Compost created from food and garden waste across North Ayrshire will be given away free to residents by the Council.

Gardeners and growers are invited to collect some compost for their gardens.

Almost 12,000 tonnes of food and garden waste is collected across North Ayrshire annually. This is recycled into rich compost for plants and vegetables and is:

  • made available for use by the Council
  • offered free to residents and
  • donated to local community gardens and allotments.

Adding compost to soil is one of the best ways to increase the health of your garden by helping the soil to absorb nutrients more effectively, retain moisture and develop strong plant roots.

The Council is now offering residents the chance to give their plants and veg a boost in time for summer with free compost giveaways at various locations.

Quote: This compost is a great resource for residents’ outdoor spaces whether they have a garden or a raised bed they look after. It helps grow healthy fruit, vegetables and plants and I would invite anyone who can use some to make their way to one of the collection points below to collect some. Residents on Arran who are planning on collecting compost at the Household Waste Recycling Centre do not need to book an HWRC slot to collect compost. However, if you are also depositing waste a slot should be booked as normal.

Quote from: Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy

Around 60 tonnes of the soil improver will be handed out. It is available on a first come, first served basis and it will be loose, so you will need to take along your own bag and shovel to collect it.

If you are taking up the offer, please remember to store the compost properly, dampen it if drying, wear gloves and masks, and wash your hands thoroughly after use.

This year’s giveaway, arranged by the Waste Resources team in Neighbourhood Services, is taking place in June at the following six locations:

  • Monday 15 June, from 3pm - Irvine Sports Club, 3 Marress Road, Waterside, Irvine
  • Tuesday 16 June, from 3pm - Stevenston Shore, Trelawney Terrace carpark
  • Wednesday 17 June, from 3pm - Kilbirnie Library (carpark behind library)
  • Thursday 18 June from 10am (sailing dependant) - Household Waste Recycling Centre, Market Road, Brodick; and Garrison House, Millport (Clifton Street end of the car park)
  • Thursday 18 June, from 3pm - Vikingar carpark, Largs

The Waste Resources team would also like to encourage residents to recycle the Right Stuff in the Right Bin because if you put the wrong stuff in the wrong bin, the Council can’t collect it.

Doing this helps the Council reduce the cost of sending waste for final disposal.

For more useful recycling information, including how to reduce what you put in your bins and a refresher on the ‘Right Stuff, Right Bin’ guidance, visit this dedicated web page.

Please check the Council’s social media channels for any unforeseen changes to the advertised dates/times.

Published: 08 June 2026

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