Free compost giveaway announced across Mid and East Antrim recycling centres for limited time

Residents across Mid and East Antrim are being invited to collect free compost from local Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) as part of a borough-wide initiative to promote sustainability and reduce landfill waste.

The scheme, delivered by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Natural World Products (NWP), will run for a limited four-day period from Wednesday 6 May to Saturday 9 May 2026, marking International Compost Awareness Week.

During the initiative, householders can collect one bag of peat-free compost per car, with supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis at five designated HRC locations across the borough.

Collection points confirmed across the borough

Residents can access the free compost at the following Household Recycling Centres:

• Waveney Road HRC, Ballymena

• Redlands HRC, Larne

• Glenarm HRC, Dickeystown Road

• Larne South HRC, Islandmagee

• Sullatober HRC, Carrickfergus

Council officials have emphasised that availability is limited and urged residents to plan ahead.

Mayor highlights environmental and community benefits

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental responsibility.

“We are proud to work in partnership with NWP to promote composting as a sustainable waste management practice,” he said.

“The compost provided by NWP will go a long way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. It also enriches our soil, which in turn will help reduce our carbon footprint.

“We would like to encourage all members of our community to join us in the efforts to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment for our borough.

“Call by your local Household Recycling Centre to pick up some free compost.”

Turning household waste into valuable resources

The compost being distributed has been produced from household food and garden waste collected across local council areas. Typical materials include vegetable and fruit peelings, eggshells, tea bags, coffee granules and leftover food scraps.

Through a controlled composting process, this organic waste is transformed into nutrient-rich, peat-free compost, helping to reduce reliance on environmentally damaging peat extraction.

The resulting compost can be used in a wide range of applications, from home gardening and community allotments to landscaping, tree planting and habitat restoration.

NWP outlines wider sustainability impact

Sharon McMaster, Community Outreach Manager at NWP, said the initiative demonstrates the real-world impact of effective recycling.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Mid and East Antrim to provide free compost to householders across the borough,” she said.

“The compost is made using green waste from homes across the council area, a real demonstration of the impact of effective recycling.

“By applying compost in our gardens, allotments and green spaces, we are returning organic matter to the earth, greatly improving soil health and fighting climate change by locking up carbon.

“That’s not to mention the incredible positive impact associated with gardening itself, such as boosting mental wellbeing, social cohesion and improving biodiversity.”

Supporting a circular economy

The initiative forms part of NWP’s wider commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, with the organisation processing more than 300,000 tonnes of organic material each year.

As Ireland’s leading organics recycling firm, NWP delivers over half of all recycling from local authority-collected household waste in Northern Ireland. Its operations include a state-of-the-art in-vessel composting facility in Dunmurry, alongside additional sites in Antrim, Keady (Co Armagh) and Drumanakelly (Co Down).

The compost products created through this process, including the New Leaf range, are recognised for their high nutrient content and ability to support healthy plant growth without the environmental cost of peat extraction.

Residents interested in learning more about the process or the organisation can visit www.naturalworldproducts.com.

---

At a glance

• Free compost available across Mid and East Antrim from 6–9 May 2026

• One bag per car, with limited supply at each location

• Available at five Household Recycling Centres across Ballymena, Larne, Glenarm, Islandmagee and Carrickfergus

• Initiative marks International Compost Awareness Week

• Compost made from household food and garden waste

• Supports landfill reduction, soil health and carbon reduction

• Delivered by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Natural World Products

• NWP processes over 300,000 tonnes of organic waste annually