Reuse
Many of us already reuse items without even thinking about it, such as passing on newspapers and magazines, donating books to charity shops, reusing plastic bottles or saving glass jars to store items from around the house.
Reusing is better than recycling because it saves the energy that comes with having to dismantle and re-manufacture products. It also significantly reduces waste and pollution because it reduces the need for raw materials, saving both forests and water supplies.
As more single-use products are being phased out for reusable alternatives, re-using things is more accessible now, than ever before.
For more information on how you can reuse your waste
- Use a local reuse organisation
- Donate to charity shops
- Online Exchange Networks
Local Reuse organisations
Did you know there are several organisations within South Ayrshire who will uplift bulky items for reuse? We want to encourage residents to take advantage of these schemes to maximise reuse and reduce the amount of waste going for disposal. Please see information below on reuse schemes in our area.
Some things to think about when you contact any of the reuse groups to request a collection are:
- are the items in good or reasonable condition and fit for reuse?
- if the items are soft furnishings, for example settees and mattresses, do they have a fire label attached to them? If not, they cannot be reused.
- if the item is electrical, is it in good working order? If not, it cannot be reused.
British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical Store
A free collection service for any good quality furniture and electrical items within South Ayrshire. To request a collection from the British Heart Foundation call 01563 481240. Alternatively you can request a BHF collection online. BHF Store will contact you within 5 working days to agree a date for collection. The items collected are sold in their furniture stores to help fund their lifesaving research. British Heart Foundation can also arrange house clearance for a charge.
Seascape Pass it on
This scheme accepts a wide range of items into its warehouse - from fridges/freezers to cookers and crockery, chairs to tables. Everything they pass on needs to meet all the current legal standards for fire and safety. Please see opposite for more info.
If you have goods you wish to pass on contact Seascape on 01292 285424 or via email [email protected].
Cunningham Furniture Recycling Company
A free collection service for any good quality furniture within Ayrshire.
24/7 online booking system is in use which residents can use to manage furniture bookings on a day that suits them via this link https://cfrcdonations.kudoscloud.co.uk
If you are not able to book online, please call 0800 221 8083 and press option 1 to arrange a donation.
Alternatively, customers can drop re-useable items directly at the shop at Unit 68, Third Avenue, Heatherhouse Industrial Estate, Irvine, KA12 8LT.
Biosphere Bikes
A social enterprise charity based in Girvan who accept donations of used bikes.
They currently collect bikes from Girvan Household Waste Recycling Centre or donated bikes can be taken to the community bike shop at 121A Henrietta Street, Girvan.
For more info visit https://biospherebikes.com/recycled-cycles or contact them on 01465 479503.
Charity shops
There are many charity shops throughout South Ayrshire that can take reusable items such as clothes, shoes, bric-a-brac, music, books and homewares.
Age Concern, 5 Crown Street, Ayr, KA8 8BY
Tel No 01292 262894
For details on what they can and cannot accept please check their website here.
Ayrshire Cancer Support, 43 Newmarket Street, Ayr, KA7 1LP
Tel No 01292 289062
For details on what they can and cannot accept please check the Ayrshire Cancer Support website.
Barnardo's
Barnardo's have charity shops across the UK. To find your local charity shop please visit find my local shop and for details of what they can and cannot accept please check the Barnardo's donations page.
British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation have charity shops across the UK. To find your local charity shop please visit find my nearest shop to locate your local store.
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK has almost 600 shops across the UK requiring stock. To find out how to drop off items at your nearest shop please visit find my nearest shop to locate your local store or to arrange a home, business or corporate partner collection.
Please check here for items they are unable to accept.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie have many charity shops across the UK. To find your nearest shop and what they accept please visit here
Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder have charity shops throughout the UK. To find details of your nearest store please visit here and to find out what items can and cannot be donated visit here.
Online Exchange Networks
Sometimes there are items that a charity shop or reuse project wouldn't accept but that are still usable for something. This could be some leftover DIY materials, a much-loved comfy chair which has lost its fire tags but still could be used by someone (or someone's pet), unwanted flower pots, chipped or mis-matching crockery which would be great for an upcycler. Use Community Resources Network Scotland to find local organisations to donate unwanted items to, to give them a new lease of life.
Items like these can be offered for reuse via Online Exchange Networks such as Freecycle, Freegle and the free section of Gumtree. It's easy to register, post an advert of a few words, an approximate location and wait for responses via your email account.
Retailers will take back and recycle your old electrical item when you buy a new one, regardless of brand, or whether the item being returned was bought in store, online or via mail order. To find out more about the take back in store visit the Recycle your electricals website. Retailers must provide the in-store service for free.
Disclaimer
The reuse groups listed are not under the control of South Ayrshire Council. We have no control over the nature, content or availability of their services.
The inclusion of any links or logo does not necessarily imply a recommendation of the service or endorse the views expressed in any literature or website published by the reuse groups.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage arising out of, or in connection with, the use of these services including, without limitation, any indirect or consequential loss or damage.
