North Ayrshire’s recycling centres have secured £60,000 to support the reuse of unwanted furniture and mattresses in a bid to reduce waste.

Ross Greer, West of Scotland MSP for the Scottish Greens, hailed the efforts as a “step forward for North Ayrshire” after a £7million fund to improve and expand recycling services across Scotland was announced by party co-leader and minister for the circular economy, Lorna Slater.

The spending includes nearly £60,000 earmarked for North Ayrshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres.

The minister also announced a pause on any new applications for incinerators pending the outcome of an independent review.

Mr Greer said: “This money will make it easier to reuse and recycle furniture and mattresses locally, which not only has obviously environmental benefits but will also cut down on fly-tipping by giving residents an easy alternative.

“This comes just a week after we announced a sweeping ban on most single-use plastics, a bike repair scheme and the January 31 launch date for our free bus travel scheme for under 22s.

“I’m particularly pleased that Lorna has put a pause on new incinerators, which cause significant levels of pollution and contradict our aim to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.”

Mr Greer added: “Unfortunately the presence of Greens in government has come too late for the incinerator that was given permission in Irvine last year.

“But this improvement to recycling centres will help people across North Ayrshire to easily dispose of their waste in the greenest way possible.”