Free compost giveaway launches across Antrim and Newtownabbey

Residents across the Borough can pick up a free bag of peat-free compost this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council launches a recycling reward initiative to mark International Compost Awareness Week 2026.

From Monday 4 May until Saturday 9 May, households visiting any of the Council’s five Household Recycling Centres will be eligible to receive one complimentary bag of compost while stocks last.

The offer is available to residents bringing recyclable items including garden waste, batteries, scrap metal, wood, and electrical goods to local recycling facilities.

Recycling efforts turned into reusable compost

The compost has been produced using food and garden waste collected from residents’ brown bins and Household Recycling Centres across the Borough.

Supplied by Natural World Products, the peat-free compost is designed to support gardening, allotments, and green spaces while also helping improve soil quality and biodiversity.

Council officials say the initiative highlights how household recycling can be transformed into a useful environmental resource, creating what they describe as a “full circle” approach to waste management.

Using compost helps return organic matter to soil, improving soil health and supporting climate change efforts by helping lock carbon into the ground rather than sending waste to landfill.

Council urges residents to support greener living

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said the awareness week gives residents a chance to see the direct benefits of recycling efforts taking place across the Borough.

She said: “Compost Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity for residents to see first-hand how their recycling efforts come full circle.

“By turning food and garden waste into high-quality compost, we are not only reducing waste but also enriching our soils and supporting biodiversity across our Borough.

“I would encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer and play their part in creating a more sustainable, greener future for Antrim and Newtownabbey.”

Available while stocks last

The Council has confirmed the free compost bags will be distributed at all five Household Recycling Centres across the Borough on a first come, first served basis while supplies remain available.

The initiative forms part of International Compost Awareness Week, an annual campaign promoting the environmental benefits of composting and sustainable waste management practices.

Residents seeking further details about local recycling centres and the compost giveaway can visit: antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

The campaign also serves as a reminder of the growing role household recycling plays in reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability efforts across Northern Ireland.