Date set for launch of North Ayrshire recycling centre booking system

A new system aimed at making a trip to the tip much quicker will come into place by the end of this month.

And this week Cabinet member Tony Gurney hailed the new venture, claiming it will reduce queues and waiting times as well as reducing emissions from cars.

The new booking system for North Ayrshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres will be introduced at the end of this month.

All four of North Ayrshire's recycling centres will need to be booked in advance

From Tuesday, April 29, anyone visiting one of North Ayrshire’s four recycling centres will need to have booked a slot prior to visiting

Advance bookings can be made from Tuesday, April 22.

Residents who do not have access to the internet will be able to book by phoning the Customer Contact Centre on 01294 310000, or for Arran residents by phoning 01770 600338. Alternatively, they can book in person at the local offices in Largs, Irvine, Saltcoats and Lamlash. 

Family members will also be able to book for residents that do not have access to the internet.

The new system – which has proven successful in other parts of the country – aims to make visits smoother and quicker.

It will allow customers to book slots at recycling sites at a time convenient to them, helping enable staff to assist customers to dispose of their household waste safely and correctly, minimising contamination and improving recycling.

Residents can access the HWRC booking system via the council’s website.

Councillor Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, has welcomed the introduction of the new system which has been working successfully in South Ayrshire since its inception.

Booking systems elsewhere "have proven to work well"

He said:  “Booking systems have been introduced in different parts of the country for some time now and have proven to work well.

“One of the main benefits we would expect residents to notice is the reduction of long queues at sites, particularly at peak times.  By having a pre-booked slot, we should see fewer queues, shorter waiting times and an all-round better service.

“Importantly, we should see significant environmental benefits with fewer emissions from vehicles sitting in traffic and better reuse and recycling with a reduction in cross-contamination of waste.”

The council operate four Household Waste Recycling Centres in Irvine, Kilbirnie, Largs and Brodick.

Up until April 29, you will not be required to make a booking. 

When the booking system launches on April 22 – one week ahead of the scheme’s introduction – residents will be asked to provide vehicle registration details so that our site attendants can check-in bookings accurately and efficiently.

Residents will be able to book a slot on the same day, subject to availability, as well as booking an appointment up to 14 days in advance. 

Multiple trips can be booked in one go

Householders can also make multiple bookings on the same day to visit the recycling centres. However, you will require to make a separate booking for each visit.

For mainland HWRC site users who were previously issued with annual paper Tip Permits for a van or a car with a small trailer for depositing household waste, then if you have an existing valid paper Tip Permit then you will be able to use your paper permit reference number to book a slot.

Once your existing Tip Permits have been used up or have expired, you will be required to apply for a free Tip Permit (12 visits per annum) using the new booking system, over the phone, or in person. You will then be required to book a slot prior to each visit. 

Further guidance, information and support will be provided to users at the HWRCs to help them transition to the new system.

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