Council Brings Back Pre-Loved Toys Scheme for its 7th Year!
Tuesday 21 October 2025
As our children grow up, they grow out of their toys and it’s these pre-loved toys that can help bring joy to another family to be re-loved.
Returning for its seventh year, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Pre-loved Toy Scheme is open for donations from Monday 27 October to Friday 12 December 2025. Special Christmas toy containers will be available at the five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and three leisure centres across the Borough.
Last year, the initiative collected and gifted an incredible 3.1 tonnes of toys – and this year, the Council hopes to beat that record!
Residents are invited to drop off clean, complete, and good-quality pre-loved toys at any of the collection sites listed below.
Drop-off locations and opening hours:
Ballymena area:
- Waveney Road HRC:
Monday – Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-7pm.
- Seven Towers Leisure Centre:
Monday – Friday, 9am-9pm, Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday, 12noon-5pm.
Larne area:
- Redlands HRC:
Monday – Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-7pm.
- Larne Leisure Centre:
Monday – Friday, 9am-9pm, Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sunday, 11am-5pm.
- Larne South HRC, Islandmagee:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-7pm.
- Glenarm HRC:
Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-5pm.
Carrickfergus area:
- Sullatober HRC:
Monday – Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-5pm, Thursday and Friday, 9am-7pm.
- Amphitheatre Leisure Centre:
Monday – Friday, 9am-9pm, Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sunday, 9am-5pm.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said:
“This scheme is the perfect opportunity for people to give their unwanted toys a second life, helping those who may struggle during the Christmas period while reducing waste in a sustainable way.
“Mid and East Antrim was the first council in Northern Ireland to launch a scheme of this kind, and I’ve been amazed at the community spirit and generosity that has grown year after year.”
He added:
“We encourage residents to donate items such as children’s bicycles, scooters, small slides, games, jigsaws, dolls, books, and other plastic or wooden toys in good working order. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas.”
Each year it’s estimated that more than 8.5 million toys are thrown away in the UK – many of which could be reused or rehomed. By donating, residents can help reduce landfill waste, protect the environment, and support local families.
Isobel Kerr, ReStore Manager for Habitat for Humanity, said:
“We are delighted to be part of the Christmas toy container initiative. This time of year can be especially difficult for families on low incomes, and we’re proud to help make Christmas more affordable and joyful for local families.”
Donated toys will be collected by Council staff and distributed to local charity partners, who will either make them available for families to purchase at low cost or gift them directly to those most in need across the Borough.
The scheme runs in partnership with Restore (East Belfast Mission), Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Ballymena), Larne Community Care Centre, Sure Start, Home Start, and several local primary schools.
By donating your pre-loved toys, you’ll not only be helping the environment but also spreading joy to children across Mid and East Antrim this Christmas.
For more information, contact waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000 (Option 0).