Skip to content

New access gate via John Walker Drive

Please note:

  • residents should access the Western Road recycling centre in Kilmarnock from a new gate via John Walker Drive
  • the same recycling and waste disposal will be available; the only change is that residents will now access the centre via John Walker Drive
  • our operatives will access the site from the old gate so the two sides of the site will be entirely separate
  • the public area of the site will be secure and a one way system will ensure that you can recycle your waste with as few delays as possible
  • public access to the main reception for Cleaner and Greener Communities Services will remain the same and can be accessed from the gates on Western Road on weekdays

What you need to know

  • Recycling centres are open seven days a week -  see recycling opening times below
  • Cars, vans and trailers are allowed to enter for household waste and commercial permit holders only
  • You must have a Residents’ Recycling Permit and a booking slot to be able to enter -  more information on the Residents’ Recycling Permit below
  • One person per vehicle – or maximum of two from the same household only if there are heavy items to be lifted or you are a blue badge holder.

How you can help us

You can help us by:

  • waiting in your car until you are advised that it’s your turn
  • noting that the site can be very busy at times, and there's no pedestrian access

What you can take to the recycling centre

At the moment, we can accept all:

  • household waste
  • recycling products

Recycling centre locations

We have two recycling centres in East Ayrshire:

  • Western Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 1LL
  • Skares Road, Garlaff, near Cumnock, KA18 2RB

Both centres contain recycling containers for a wide variety of materials. Each container/bay is clearly labelled. To make the sorting process easy it is important that only the correct recyclates go into each container.

If you are unsure which container to use, check with the site attendants as they will be happy to help you.

You can deposit all household material free of charge.

We no longer accept horse manure at any household waste recycling centre.

You may use the general waste skips on sites to deposit your excess general waste. However, no  commercial waste is accepted at either recycling centre.

Recycling centre opening times

Western Road, Kilmarnock

Summer months from April to October:

  • Monday and Thursday from 8am to 6:50pm
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3:50pm

Winter months from November to March:

  • Monday to Friday from 8am to 3:50pm
  • Saturday from 8am to 1pm
  • Sunday from 10am to 3:50pm

Garlaff, near Cumnock 

Summer months from April to October:

  • Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm
  • Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm

Winter months from November to March:

  • Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm
  • Saturday from 8am to 1pm
  • Sunday from 10am to 4pm

How to access recycling centres 

The self-service Residents’ Recycling Permit and booking scheme aims to make it simpler and easier for you to access the recycling centres.

You will no longer have to show ID with your name and address on it when you arrive; instead, your vehicle registration details will be checked on arrival.

Registering for your online permit is a simple four-step process.

  1. Customer account

    Register for an Our East Ayrshire customer account (if you don’t already have one). You will need a valid email address to create an account.

    You will receive a verification email to validate your email address. Once validated, you can register your profile details.

    Register online at Our East Ayrshire 

  2. Residents' recycling permit

    Apply for your online Residents’ Recycling Permit (in the same system - Our East Ayrshire). You will need your Council Tax reference to validate your East Ayrshire residency.

  3. Vehicle details

    Register your vehicle. You will need the registration number of the vehicle you wish to visit the recycling centre with. You can register up to two vehicles per permit.

  4. Book your time slot

    Book a time slot for visiting the recycling centre. Bookings are currently limited to one visit per permit and can be booked up to 14 days in advance.

Don't have internet access?

If you don’t have internet access you can call 01563 554400 to set up a permit, register a vehicle and book a time slot. You will need to provide your name, address and Council Tax reference number for staff to be able to do this on your behalf.

Having problems setting up your permit?

If you are experience trouble completing the online recycling permit registration, you can call us on 01563 554400. You will need to provide your name, address and Council Tax reference number.

Don't have your Council Tax reference number?

If you don’t have your Council Tax reference number to hand, you can request a copy bill.

You can register for an Our East Ayrshire account (as per step one above) and then use the link in the Residents' Recycling Permit registration page to request a copy bill be issued to you. This normally takes two or three days. If you don’t have internet access you can call 01563 554400 and they will request a copy bill for you.

Frequently asked questions

What can you take to the recycling centre?

At the moment, we can accept: 

  • all household waste
  • all recycling products with the exception of clothing
  • waste electrical and electronic equipment
  • mattresses
  • white goods
  • soils and rubble
  • collection of compost
  • plasterboard
  • reusable furniture
  • timber
  • tyres
  • oils

What will we not accept at the recycling centres at the moment?

Clothing

What should I expect when I visit?

A traffic management plan will be in place - please follow the signage and diversions and observe instructions from the traffic marshalls.

The site attendant will check your booking details at the site entrance before you enter the site. Once you enter the site, please follow instructions from staff and do not get out of your car until advised to do so.

In order to make your visit as efficient as it can be, please consider loading your car in a way that it can be unloaded in as short a time as possible.

The layout of the site for the material accepted is in the following order:

  1. Scrap metal
  2. Wood
  3. Cardboard
  4. General waste
  5. Garden waste

Why can’t I walk into a recycling centre?

The recycling centres will be very busy and are designed for vehicle access, not pedestrian access.

When can I visit with a trailer or van?

Vans and trailers can now visit our recycling centres for disposal of your household waste.

All vans and trailers may be subject to inspection on arrival to ensure that no commercial waste is present. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

To gain access to the centres, you need to register for a Residents’ Recycling Permit and book a time slot at www.eastayrshi.re/permits.

When will I be able to bring other items to the site?

Our recycling centres will be able to accept all household waste and recycling products with the exception of clothing. 

I have a commercial permit for the Recycling Centre - what will I do?

Please call Cleaner Communities on 01563 554033 to discuss.

How long will my permit take to be authorised?

The permit is online and instant. Once you have verified your Council Tax reference for the permit and added your vehicle, you will be registered. You can then book your slot to visit the recycling centres.

Will I receive a physical permit?

No, your permit will be an online one. If you do not have internet access, call 01563 554400. We will create a permit for you and add your vehicle to the system.

Once you have applied for your permit you no longer need to bring identification with you. Instead we will check your vehicle registration details on arrival at the recycling centre. Your permit remains valid for as long as you stay at your registered address.

I need to clear the house of a relative who lived in East Ayrshire and who has passed away. I don’t live in East Ayrshire – how do I access the centres?

We are currently setting up a special arrangement booking form for a one-off entry to site for this type of situation.

This system will be available shortly once all East Ayrshire Council residents have had the opportunity to access the recycling centre booking system.

The online system says my Council Tax reference number could not be verified even though it is correct?

Please check that your profile address is correct and that it matches your Council Tax account address.

Bookings for commercial type vehicles

If you drive a commercial type vehicle such as any van or pickups, liveried cars, or vehicles with trailers, you must book an appointment to access the recycling centres. This includes if you are a resident who is hiring a vehicle.

Find out more about bookings for commercial type vehicles

Local recycling points

Recycling points at local supermarkets can be accessed at any time.

The recycling centres are complemented by the network of local supermarket based recycling points, throughout East Ayrshire.  All sites are managed and serviced by East Ayrshire Council with the exception of the Tesco site at West Shaw Street in Kilmarnock. 

Contact information: Recycling Centres/Points
Name (click on link for full details) Town
Garlaff Recycling Centre * Cumnock

paint

mobiles

carpets

books

cans

glass

paper

textiles


plastics & cartons

cardboard

batteries

soil & rubble

cooking & engine oil

scrap metal

timber

electronic & electric

garden waste
Tesco Glasgow Road Kilmarnock

cans

glass
Tesco Recycling Point Galston

cans

glass

textiles

plastics & cartons
Western Road Recycling Centre * Kilmarnock

paint

mobiles

carpets

books

cans

glass

paper

textiles


plastics & cartons

cardboard

batteries

soil & rubble

cooking & engine oil

scrap metal

timber

electronic & electric

garden waste

 

Contact Information

Cleaner Communities
Western Road Depot
Kilmarnock
East Ayrshire
KA3 1LL
Telephone: 01563 554400