Changes to bin collection services

We will be replacing the recycling trolleys with three separate wheelie bins, and moving to a four-weekly collection schedule:

1. The recycling trolley will be removed just after its last collection.
2. On your changeover week your new bins will be delivered between Monday and Friday.
3. Your new bins could arrive before your trolley is taken away or there could be a few days when you have no recycling bins.
4. The first collection of the new service will be general waste.

You will receive three new wheelie bins to recycle:

• paper and card
• plastics and tins
• glass

These will be in addition to your general waste bin and your garden waste bin, if you have one.

The roll out will happen in two stages:

1. From May 2026, residents in the south of East Ayrshire, (Cumnock and surrounding area), will have their trollies removed and will receive their new bins.
2. In October 2026, the roll out will begin in the north of East Ayrshire,(Kilmarnock and surrounding area).

It is anticipated that the roll out will be completed by spring 2027.

There is a long lead time for new containers, vehicles and infrastructure changes required to introduce the new system.

You will receive eight collections every four weeks:

• food waste will be collected weekly
• general waste collection  - one per four weeks
• paper and card collection  - one per four weeks
• plastics and cans collection - one per four weeks
• glass collection - one per four weeks

We will also include the collection of soft plastic films that will include fruit wrappings, and biscuit and crisp wrappers. This will be collected in the plastics and cans bin.

Example collection schedule

An example collection schedule could be:

• Week one: general waste (green bin) and food waste
• Week two: paper and cardboard (blue lid) and food waste
• Week three: plastics and cans (red lid) and food waste
• Week four: glass (purple lid) and food waste

We will notify you of the exact arrangements nearer the time.

Yes. A new online calendar is being finalised and a residents app developed that will show your new bin collection days and the week that your new collection will start.

Work is currently ongoing to survey all communal properties to identify any changes required for the new collection system.

If you have a small garden or no outdoor space at your home and are concerned about where to place your new bins, a Community Waste Officer will survey your property.

Please email communitywasteofficer@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Yes, we will collect the trolleys when we deliver the new wheelie bins, and we will notify you of arrangements nearer the time.

We will be unable to collect these bins in the future, so we would encourage you to return your trolley as we plan to recycle this equipment as part of these changes.

You will continue to use your existing general waste bin.

If you don’t generate a lot of waste and could manage with smaller bins, we can discuss options with you nearer the time.

If you regularly produce extra recycling, or have a large household, we can discuss options with you nearer the time. All households can request extra recycling containers.

No. There is no charge for the new bins being supplied as part of these changes.

There will be no charge for authorised additional residual or recycling bins. For example additional bins for medical waste, nappies.

There will be charge applied to replacement residual bins.

A comprehensive review of Cleaner Communities has been carried out, the purpose of this is to create a more efficient and financially viable Waste Management service for East Ayrshire Council and its residents.

A charge of £39.70 will be introduced for replacement residual waste bins from April 2025 - a 50% discount will be available for residents in receipt of qualifying benefits.

This charge will be adjusted annually to match the Scottish Median charge.

There is no charge for replacement recycling containers.

We will consider requests for a larger general waste bin on an individual basis.

If you require a larger general waste bin you should complete an application form and also a waste diary. If you do not use the kerbside recycling services, including the weekly food waste service, we will not consider your larger general waste bin application.

Special arrangements will be made for some householders if, for example, there is a medical requirement. These arrangements will be considered on an individual basis.

Garden waste collections will not change, but the price of permits will change each year in line with the Scottish average.

No. All waste should be contained inside the new bins, with the lid closed. Excess waste can be taken to your local recycling centre.

We currently provide additional capacity bins for disposable nappies or incontinence products if you run out of space in your general waste bin. These arrangements will not change.

We also have a real nappy scheme whereby we provide free starter packs for reusable nappies which not only reduce waste, but are a cheaper alternative to disposable nappies.

Please email waste@east-ayrshire.gov.uk for more details.

Yes. This service will automatically transfer to the new service.

Excess household waste and larger items can be disposed of free of charge at our recycling centres. There is a charge for disposing of commercial and business waste.

You can also request a special uplift.

We will continue to collect food waste on a weekly basis, thereby minimising any risk of smells and pests. You can help us by locking the lid of your food waste caddy.

Nappies, incontinence products and pet waste may cause smells in your wheelie bin but you can avoid this by double wrapping these items and requesting additional capacity if required.

Where possible, use the dog bins provided in public places for dog waste. If using your rubbish bin, tightly wrap the dog waste in a plastic bag to help reduce smells.

Cat waste from litter trays needs to go in the refuse bin but again, you can double bag it to reduce any potential odours. 

To reduce waste, please consider switching to biodegradable and reusable alternatives to traditional cat litter. Popular choices include wood-based litters like Feline Pine, OKOcat, and Fresh Paws, which are compostable. Reusing materials like paper towels or terry towelling can also be a good option.

You can add waste from herbivores such as rabbits, guinea pigs to a home compost heap.

The new routes will be optimised to reduce the mileage of our waste collection vehicles. We are also expecting to see an increase in the amount of waste being presented for recycling due to the increased recycling options.

Yes. Councils with reduced collection frequencies, for example Falkirk, Stirling and Conwy, report that residents are now recycling more, with reductions in the amount of rubbish in the general waste bin.

These items are now being recycled into something new and the food waste is being used to make electricity.