Pre-loved toy scheme returns for its 7th year to spread Christmas cheer across Mid and East Antrim

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford is pictured with Isobel Kerr, ReStore Manager for Habitat for Humanity, launching the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Pre-Loved Toys Scheme.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is once again calling on local residents to donate their pre-loved toys this festive season as its much-loved Christmas Toy Scheme returns for the seventh year running.

The initiative, which runs from Monday 27 October to Friday 12 December 2025, invites residents to donate good-quality toys that can be “re-loved” by another family this Christmas.

Special toy collection containers will be placed at five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and three leisure centres across the Borough.

Last year’s appeal saw an incredible 3.1 tonnes of toys collected and redistributed, and this year, the Council is aiming to beat that record with the help of local families.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, praised the initiative, describing it as “the perfect opportunity for people to give their unwanted toys a second life.”

He 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.”

Encouraging participation, the Mayor 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.”

Supporting Local Families and the Environment

With an estimated 8.5 million toys thrown away in the UK each year, the Pre-Loved Toy Scheme aims to reduce unnecessary landfill waste while supporting local families during a financially difficult time of year.

Donations will be collected by Council staff and distributed to charity partners, including Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Ballymena), Larne Community Care Centre, Sure Start, Home Start, and several local primary schools.

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.”

Where and When to Donate

Residents can drop off clean, complete, and good-quality toys at the following sites:

Ballymena area

• Waveney Road HRC: Mon–Wed & Sat, 9am–5pm; Thurs & Fri, 9am–7pm.

• Seven Towers Leisure Centre: Mon–Fri, 9am–9pm; Sat, 9am–5pm; Sun, 12noon–5pm.

Larne area

• Redlands HRC: Mon–Wed & Sat, 9am–5pm; Thurs & Fri, 9am–7pm.

• Larne Leisure Centre: Mon–Fri, 9am–9pm; Sat, 9am–5pm; Sun, 11am–5pm.

• Larne South HRC (Islandmagee): Tues, Wed & Sat, 9am–5pm; Thurs & Fri, 9am–7pm.

• Glenarm HRC: Wed & Sat, 9am–5pm.

Carrickfergus area

• Sullatober HRC: Mon–Wed & Sat, 9am–5pm; Thurs & Fri, 9am–7pm.

• Amphitheatre Leisure Centre: Mon–Fri, 9am–9pm; Sat, 9am–5pm; Sun, 9am–5pm.

A Sustainable Christmas Tradition

Now in its seventh year, the Pre-Loved Toy Scheme has become a heartwarming festive tradition in Mid and East Antrim, combining community kindness with environmental awareness.

By donating toys that children have outgrown, residents can help ensure others wake up to joy this Christmas morning — while keeping reusable items out of landfill.

For more information about the Pre-Loved Toy Scheme, email waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000 (Option 0).