NORTH Ayrshire Council has been ranked as the third highest recycling local authority in Scotland.

The council was listed in third place on a table of Scotland’s local authorities for household recycling in 2023.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) released its annual report on household waste, and the data shows the council area recycled 56.1 per cent of household waste during 2023.

This figure is up from 55.3 per cent in 2022, when the council sat in fourth place on the table.

Only two local authorities performed better last year – the Scottish Borders on 57.9 per cent and East Renfrewshire on 58.2 per cent.

The council's rate sits well above the national average of 43.5 per cent.

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, said: "The fact that we are performing so well when it comes to household waste recycling is testament to staff and residents’ commitment to ensuring they put the right waste in the right bin.

"Recycling is a team effort, and everyone can play their part in managing our waste responsibly and sustainably by placing recyclable materials into the correct bin."

The council has four household waste recycling centres in Irvine, Kilbirnie, Largs and Brodick, which accept a variety of items from batteries and cooking oil to electricals and wood.

To help avoid contamination, you can start rinsing cans, bottles, and food containers so that they don’t impact on other materials.