Pre-loved toys scheme
Christmas containers are set up at sites across Mid and East Antrim where people can drop up off pre-loved and unwanted toys.
From Monday 30 October 2023 until Friday 8 December 2023, Christmas toy containers will be set up at our five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and the three leisure Centres across Mid and East Antrim, so pre-loved toys can be given a new home this festive season.
For the fifth year running, Council is working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, East Belfast Mission (Restore) and local community groups including Larne Community Care Centre Group, Larne and Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Home Start, Horizon Sure Start to deliver the toy donation scheme.
Over 8.5 million toys are thrown away each year in the UK which adds to the landfill tonnage we throw away in one year.
In 2022 we diverted over 5.2 tonne of toys from landfill and gifted to local communities, this is over 50% more than the 2021 tonnage diverted and gifted. We are hoping to exceed this figure this Christmas, reducing landfill, protecting the environment, and helping others.
Residents from the borough are being invited to drop off pre-loved and unwanted toys into a specially designated container at each of the sites. Donated toys must be clean, complete and good quality i.e. what you’d provide to your own child.
The project will run between Monday 30 October and Friday 8 December 2023.
Toy drop-off points will be at our five open Household Recycling Centres and our three leisure centres.
Ballymena area:
- Waveney Road HRC, Ballymena – Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
- Seven Towers Leisure Centre – Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 12noon to 5pm.
Larne area:
- Redlands HRC, Larne – Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
- Larne South HRC, Islandmagee – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
- Glenarm HRC – Wednesday and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
- Larne Leisure Centre – Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
- Ballygally Spar - 262 Coast Road, Ballygalley - 7am to 8pm
- The Music Yard, Old Glenarm Road, Monday to Friday from 3pm to 8pm, and Saturday from 11am to 4pm.
Carrickfergus area:
- Sullatober HRC, Carrickfergus – Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.
- Amphitheatre Leisure Centre – Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
If you have any queries please contact:
E: waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: 0300 124 5000, Option 0.