More than 22,300 kilograms of waste has been diverted from the dump due to a furniture recycing scheme, according to North Ayrshire council.

The local authority has been part of the 'Warp It' furniture and resource redistribution programme since 2015 - and in that time has stopped more than 58,000 kgs of carbon dioxide from being emitted.

The portal allows organisations to upload, trade, and take unwanted items such as chairs, desks, cupboards and drawers and distributes unused stationery and ink jet cartridges.

Manager of the council's EQUAL employability programme who use the scheme, Linda Ford, said: “The system is really user-friendly and has helped us to track down a host of soft furnishings, desks, cabinets and tables from the University of Glasgow who have also claimed items from the Council in the past.

“We have also utilised other items such as a donated set of bookcases from a local library and further tables and chairs from the closure of James McFarlane School in Ardrossan.

“Being sustainable is something that is really important to us as it allows us to keep funding for costs associated with improving and developing our employability programme, rather than spending it on procurement costs.

“It feels good to be able to do our part for the environment in this way and secure items in a cost-effective manner, particularly with the challenges the Council -and many other organisations - are currently faced with due to the current Cost-of-Living crisis.”

The scheme has also helped the council cut down on costs associated with disposal and buying new items, saving them more than £83,000.

Open to council workers and staff from the North Ayrshire health and social care partnership, Warp It functions as a way for the council to not just cut costs but also to do their part for the environment.

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for economy and climate change, said: “Tackling climate change is something that North Ayrshire Council takes very seriously.

“Climate change is a global problem, and we are committed to playing our part to reduce emissions at a local level.

“Items such as tables, pedestals, cabinets and office chairs can then be listed, loaned or passed on to other departments and partner organisations, including local charities and social enterprises in need.

“By investing long-term in this type of carbon-cutting approach, we are not only reducing the amount of waste that ends up being disposed of, it also has a direct and positive impact on achieving the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and becoming a carbon neutral council by 2030.”

To sign your organisation up to Warp It, visit www.warp-it.co.uk.