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Update to bulky waste collection service
Some changes are being introduced to North Ayrshire’s bulky kerbside uplifts.
Across the country, a change to regulations and guidance means that unwanted upholstered seating must be collected, stored and disposed of separately, due to potential pollutants contained within fire-retardant materials.
The changes are being implemented across Scotland and, in North Ayrshire, the way in which waste upholstered domestic seating is collected for disposal will alter from Monday, 1 September, 2025.
Quote: Due to SEPA guidance, we must ensure that waste upholstered seating is collected and stored separately from other waste preventing the contamination of other wastes or the potential release of pollutants. Upholstered waste must only be sent to an energy recovery facility, where it will be burned to generate electricity, which ensures the chemicals are safely destroyed so they cannot be released into the wider environment. The risk to human health from handling these types of undamaged waste upholstered seating is minimal and people are not required to needlessly get rid of upholstered household furniture items. However, the legislation and guidance are concerned with the potential negative impact that the pollutants within the fire retardants may have on animals, humans and the environment, when these items become waste and are broken down. If this type of waste is not managed responsibly, the chemicals can remain in the environment for a long time.”
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
In order to meet the national regulations and guidance, from 1 September 2025, North Ayrshire Council will offer two types of separate bulky uplifts:
- Uplifts of non-upholstered seating items such as bed frames, electrical goods and white goods (like fridges and freezers), garden tools and lawnmowers, toys (for example bikes, trampolines, swings, climbing frames)
- Uplifts of upholstered seating items such as upholstered chairs, suites, settees, sofas, sofa beds, sofa cushions, beanbags and stools.
This means if you intend on disposing of both upholstered and non-upholstered items and require them to be uplifted, you will be required to make two separate bookings.
North Ayrshire Council offers a low-cost uplift service for these items.
For collection of up to five items of non-upholstered seating items, the cost is £29.17, plus £5.83 for each extra item.
And the cost of up to five items of upholstered seating items is also £29.17, plus £5.83 for each extra item.
However, residents can still take these items to a local household waste recycling centre themselves and dispose of them free of charge if they wish. If household furniture items are in undamaged and in a good reusable condition, they can be deposited in the furniture reuse container at our HWRCs, or Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company may also collect them free of charge (subject to availability).
For further details on the changes and how to book a bulky waste uplift, please visit the Council’s website or contact our Customer Contact Centre on 01294 310000, or the Arran Local Office on 01770 600338.
Published: 25 August 2025