Guide

If you did the building or renovation work yourself

If you did the building or renovation work yourself, you can bring certain amounts of DIY waste to our household waste recycling centres (HWRCs):

Non-recyclable DIY waste

Non-recyclable DIY waste is limited to 2 x 50-litre bags at all HWRCs.

Recyclable DIY waste

Recyclable DIY waste includes materials such as wood and scrap metal.

Soil must be separated from stones and other rubble to be considered recyclable DIY waste. Otherwise, it is non-recyclable.

Different HWRCs have different rules about how much waste you can bring:

• Erskine, Paisley, and Renfrew HWRCs: you can bring an unlimited about of recyclable DIY waste.
• Linwood HWRC: limited to 8 x 50-litre bags of recyclable DIY waste.
• Johnstone HWRC: you can bring an unlimited amount of recyclable DIY waste, except for wood, which you cannot bring to this HWRC. You can bring wood to any of the other HWRCs.

You do not actually have to bag all of your waste. The 50-litre bag reference is just so you know the size or volume of waste you can bring to each HWRC.

We cannot take plasterboard at any of our HWRCs. See what you can dispose of at our HWRCs.

If you paid someone to do the building or renovation work

If you paid someone to do the building or renovation work, such as a joiner or other tradesperson, you cannot bring this DIY waste to our household waste recycling centres.

The person who did the work is legally responsible for removing the waste from your site as part of their service to you.

Other options

If you did the building or renovation work yourself, you can order a bulky waste collection from your home.

You can hire a skip or use a private waste disposal contractor to remove your DIY waste.

See a list of registered waste carriers and brokers (SEPA website).

You could also post your building materials on social media or online marketplaces to see if someone wants to collect them for free.

If you have any questions, contact us:

• phone 0300 300 0300
• email customerservices.contact@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

DIY waste is waste created when doing building or renovation work in your home or garden.

According to law, DIY waste is considered 'non-household waste'. For that reason, we do not collect this type of waste from your home.

How ground heating systems work

Ground source heating systems are more energy efficient and eco-friendly, as they use renewable energy from the ground. 

Deep holes (boreholes) are drilled into the ground around the tower blocks in the carpark and grass areas. The holes contain pipes that form a shared ground loop that collects heat naturally stored in the earth. It provides a building with all of its heating and hot water all year round.

Each flat will have its own small heat pump. These pumps are connected to the shared ground loop.

The heat collected from the ground loop pipes is transferred to the heat pumps in each flat. The heat pumps then increase the temperature of this heat to a level suitable for heating the flats and providing hot water.

The heated water is circulated through the building by communal pipework, called risers. These then split off into each individual flat to the heat pump which is controlled by the tenant.

The heat pump unit in your flat is powered by electricity and not gas. You'll no longer need a gas meter for your heating or hot water.

Who is getting it installed

Every home in the Gallowhill and Glencairn Court tower flats will get the new heating and hot water system.

What happens during the installation

Kensa will carry out the works and aim to complete it by Autumn of 2026.

They'll install a new heat pump and hot water cylinder in your home, along with new radiators and controls. 

The new heat pump is installed safely in an airing cupboard or kitchen cabinet, in the same way as a traditional boiler. It's no louder than a kitchen appliance such as a dishwasher.

The controls for your radiators, thermostat and room temperature controls will work a lot like your current system.

The contractor will provide you with a manual and demonstrations for the new heating system to show you how it works. 

You will not need to move out during the installation. There will be a communal area available for use during working hours so that you can have a break from the disruption of the installation. 

Drilling in the car park will be limited to sections at a time to reduce disruption and maintain as much availability of the car park as much as possible.

How long it will take 

The project will be completed in 3 phases during 2025 and 2026:

Phase 1: drilling the bore holes and installing the pipework in the ground in the surrounding areas. This will be completed in sections to reduce disruption to the car park as much as possible. 

Phase 2: installing the pipework supply in the tower blocks.

Phase 3: disconnecting the gas supply and installation of new supply pipes, new radiators, heat pumps and hot water cylinders into each flat.

The whole project is expected to be completed in Autumn 2026.

We'll keep you informed through each stage of the process, including details of the installation timeline. 

You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns by:

• email at Housinginvestment@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone on 0300 300 0300.

Kensa will also have liaison officers on site to support tenants throughout the works.

After it's installed

After the new system is installed, your heating and hot water usage will be automatically added to your electricity bill. 

We'll give you support on which electricity and heat pump tariffs that are available for your home.

We are installing a new ground source heating system to replace the current gas supply for heating and hot water in the Gallowhill and Glencairn Court tower blocks.

New radiators, a small individual heat pump, and a hot water cylinder will be installed in each home to replace your current heating and hot water.

This change is necessary as the current gas pipework supplying the buildings is nearing the end of its lifespan. 

What you can bring to our recycling centres

You can recycle and dispose of a range of waste materials at our household waste recycling centres across Renfrewshire.

You can bring the following items to our household waste recycling centres:

• bagged household waste
• batteries
• bricks (not available at our Renfrew centre)
• carpets (dispose of these in the skips for non-recyclable waste, not in the recycling compactors)
• clothes
• computers
• DIY waste (there are limits on the type and amount of DIY waste you can bring)
• fluorescent tubes
• garden waste
• mattresses
• paint
• scrap metal
• small amounts of rubble (not available at our Johnstone and Renfrew centres)
• indoor and outdoor electrical appliances (find out how to recycle your small electrical devices at WEEE banks)
• textiles
• TVs
• vapes (put these in the dedicated vape containers at each centre to ensure they're stored and disposed of safely)
• white goods (such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers)
• wood (not available at our Johnstone centre).

If you want to dispose of upholstered seating, such as chairs or sofas, you can only bring the items to our Linwood household waste recycling centre. You cannot bring upholstered seating to any of our other recycling centres.

You cannot remove any items from our recycling centres.

Read more about disposing of upholstered seating below.

What you cannot bring to our recycling centres

You cannot bring the following items to our household waste recycling centres:

• clinical waste (including COVID-19 or infectious waste and medicines)
• commercial waste
• Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed
• non-household chemicals (for example, petrol)
• plasterboard
• tyres.

You cannot bring any waste that comes from a commercial or business activity. See more information on commercial waste services.

Guidance on specific items

Here are some guidelines for waste items that have to be disposed of in a specific way:

Asbestos

Asbestos cannot be re-used or recycled under any circumstances.

You can dispose of your asbestos at Paisley household waste recycling centre.

You should hire a specialist asbestos removal contractor to handle and dispose of large quantities of asbestos.

Batteries

You should not dispose of batteries in your general waste bin or recycling bins. This can cause fires or explosions at waste facilities, which could endanger waste collection crews and site staff.

You should recycle any batteries at our household waste recycling centres, including:

• single-cell household batteries (such as AA or AAA)
• car batteries
• household goods containing batteries, such as toothbrushes, toys, phones, and computers.

Many retailers that sell batteries also have collection points where you can drop off batteries.

Fire extinguishers

We cannot take fire extinguishers at any of our household waste recycling centres. This is because they are hazardous waste.

Instead, you can hire a private waste contractor to remove your fire extinguishers or other types of hazardous waste.

See a list of registered waste carriers and brokers (SEPA website).

Engine oil

You can recycle engine oil at our household waste recycling centres. 

Make sure your used engine oil is stored in a sealed container. You should not mix engine oil with any other substance, as this makes it difficult to recycle.

Plasterboard

We cannot take plasterboard at any of our household waste recycling centres. This is because of the toxic fumes plasterboard gives off when breaking down.

Instead, you can hire a private waste contractor to remove your plasterboard waste.

See a list of registered waste carriers and brokers (SEPA website).

Rubble

You cannot bring small amounts of rubble to our household waste recycling centres in Johnstone or Renfrew.

Please take this to one of our other household waste recycling centres in Renfrewshire.

Small electrical appliances

You can take damaged or broken appliances to our small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling bins at any of our household waste recycling centres.

We are working with the Salvation Army and our electrical compliance scheme partner REPIC to bring unwanted small electrical appliances back into use.

You can bring small electrical appliances which are still in working order to our reuse hub at Paisley household waste recycling centre.

Small electrical appliances you can bring to our reuse hub include:

• kettles
• toasters
• hair dryers
• electrical children's toys
• vacuum cleaners.

Dedicated cages are available at the centre for you to place appliances in.

The Salvation Army will collect appliances from the Paisley recycling centre twice weekly. They will test all appliances at their Renfrew donation centre and those in working and re-sellable condition will then be available to buy in the Salvation Army shop.

Our household waste recycling centre attendants can help if you are unsure if you can return a small electrical appliance for reuse.

Syringes (needles)

You should not put syringes in your bins or take them to our household waste recycling centres.

Instead, you can return used hypodermic needles to your doctor's surgery or health centre for safe disposal.

If you've found a discarded syringe in an open area, or anywhere that's a danger to the public in Renfrewshire, use our online form to report the discarded syringe right away.

Vapes (e-cigarettes)

Do not put vapes or e-cigarettes in any of your household bins.

These items contain batteries that can cause fires or explosions if damaged or compacted during collection or processing. This is a serious risk to waste collection crews, site staff, and facilities.

If you need to dispose of a vape, take it to one of our household waste recycling centres, where there are dedicated containers to ensure they're stored and disposed of safely.

Do not put vapes in our:

• general waste compactors
• open skips at recycling centres.

By disposing of vapes correctly, you're helping to protect staff, facilities, and the wider environment.

Upholstered furniture

If you want to dispose of upholstered seating, you can only bring the items to our Linwood household waste recycling centre. You cannot bring upholstered seating to any of our other recycling centres.

You can bring the following upholstered items to Linwood household waste recycling centre:

• armchairs
• electrical recliner chairs
• futons, bean bags, sofa cushions and floor cushions
• home office chairs
• kitchen and dining room chairs
• sofa beds
• sofas
• stools and foot stools.

Once you arrive at Linwood household waste recycling centre, place your items in the specific bin for upholstered seating. Ask our onsite staff if you are not sure where to go.

Many upholstered seating items are coated with a flame retardant containing persistent organic pollutants (or POPs). By keeping upholstered seating separate from other waste items, we can avoid contamination in the recycling process.

If your items are undamaged, in good condition and still have their fire safety labels, consider donating them to your local charity shop instead.

Wood

You cannot bring pieces of wood to our Johnstone household waste recycling centre.

Please take these to one of our other household waste recycling centres in Renfrewshire.

If you're unsure whether you can bring a certain item to one of our recycling centres, get in touch:

• phone 0300 300 0300
• email mybins@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

New Supply Shared Equity scheme

What it is

Through the New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) scheme, you may be able to buy a new-build home from a housing association without having to fund the entire cost.

You'll pay the biggest share of the home's cost, usually between 60% and 80%. The Scottish Government will pay for the rest under a 'shared equity agreement'.

For example, if you pay for 70% of the home, the Scottish Government will pay for a 30% share. If you want, you'll usually be able to buy a bigger share later on.

Your name will be on the title deeds for the home, but there will be a mortgage, or 'standard security', on the home to make sure the Scottish Government's share is protected.

It also means that if you ever choose to sell the home, the Scottish Government will get a share of the money.

Read more about how the NSSE scheme works (Scottish Government website).

Who can get it

The NSSE scheme is available across Scotland to first-time buyers and people from these 'priority access' groups:

• people aged 60 and over
• social renters - people who rent from the council or a housing association
• disabled people
• members of the armed forces
• veterans who have left the armed forces within the past 2 years
• widows, widowers, and other partners of service personnel for up to 2 years after their partner lost their life while serving.

The NSSE scheme is also available to people who have previously owned a home and have had a significant change in circumstances, such as a marital breakdown.

How to apply

Contact a housing association directly to ask them if they have any homes available through the NSSE scheme.

Open Market Shared Equity scheme

What it is

Through the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme, you may be able to buy a home that's for sale on the open market without having to fund the entire cost.

You'll pay the biggest share of the home's cost, usually between 60% and 90%. The Scottish Government will pay for the rest under a 'shared equity agreement'.

For example, if you pay for 70% of the home, the Scottish Government will pay for a 30% share. If you want, you'll usually be able to buy a bigger share later on.

Your name will be on the title deeds for the home, but there will be a mortgage, or 'standard security', on the home to make sure the Scottish Government's share is protected.

It also means that if you ever choose to sell the home, the Scottish Government will get a share of the money.

The OMSE scheme is only available for homes within set price limits:

• 1 bedroom / 2 apartment - £65,000
• 2 bedrooms / 3 apartment - £80,000
• 3 bedrooms / 4 apartment - £105,000
• 4 bedrooms / 5 apartment - £135,000
• 5 bedrooms / 6 apartment - £240,000

Here, 'apartment' refers to habitable rooms, including bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and box rooms. It does not include kitchens, bathrooms, or conservatories. For example, a 3-apartment home could have two bedrooms and a living room.

Read more about how the OMSE scheme works (Scottish Government website).

Who can get it

The OMSE scheme is available across Scotland to first-time buyers and people from these 'priority access' groups:

• people aged 60 and over
• social renters - people who rent from the council or a housing association
• disabled people
• members of the armed forces
• veterans who have left the armed forces within the past 2 years
• widows, widowers, and other partners of service personnel for up to 2 years after their partner lost their life while serving.

How to apply

In Renfrewshire, the OMSE scheme is run by Link Housing Association (non-council website). Contact them directly to ask them about the scheme:

• phone 03451 400 100
• email csc@linkhaltd.co.uk.

If you want to buy a home but cannot afford one on the open market, you may be able to share the cost with the Scottish Government.

Through the 2 shared equity schemes available in Renfrewshire, you would buy a home by paying for most of it yourself, with the Scottish Government paying for the rest.

You would have full ownership of the home, but you would have to repay the equity stake held by the Scottish Government if you ever chose to sell the home.

This helps you on the way to owning your own home without having to fund it all yourself.

There are 2 schemes that can help you buy a home through shared equity:

• New Supply Shared Equity scheme
• Open Market Shared Equity scheme.

What your options are

If you're looking for an affordable, long-term home, you could:

• apply for council housing
• apply to rent a home from a housing association.

You could apply for both options, but you might prefer one over the other.

Read this guide to learn more and help you decide whether to apply for council housing, housing associations, or both.

Council housing

What council housing is

'Council housing' are houses and flats owned by the council. They have more affordable rents and more secure tenancies than many private rentals.

Who can get council housing

You can apply for council housing if you're over 16.

Because there's lots of demand for council housing, we offer homes to people based on their level of need. You're more likely to get a council home if you:

• are homeless or could become homeless
• live in a home that's too small for the number of people living there
• have a medical condition made worse by your current home.

Check our housing allocation policy if you want the full details.

How council housing works

Once you've applied for council housing, we'll contact you within 10 days to discuss your housing needs and options. Then, once you're on our waiting list for council housing, you can:

• wait until we contact you about an available home in Renfrewshire
• 'bid' on certain homes that are available in specific areas of Paisley, Renfrew, and Johnstone.

Council housing comes with more affordable rents and more secure tenancies. There are other benefits, such as having some repairs and maintenance covered by the council. But you might be on our waiting list for a while, depending on your level of need and what homes are available.

Learn more about council housing and how to apply.

Housing associations

What housing associations are

Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable homes to people.

Although housing associations are not part of the council, we work closely with them to help local people find homes. For example, we can refer people who have applied for council housing to get a housing association property.

Who can apply to housing associations

Anyone who is 16 or older can apply to a housing association.

Because of demand, housing associations usually prioritise people from specific groups, including:

• people on a low income
• older people
• disabled people
• people who need support to live in their own home.

How housing associations work

You must apply directly to a housing association, not to the council, if you want to get onto a housing association's waiting list.

Different housing associations cover different areas, so you might want to apply to more than one, depending on where you want to live.

Once you're on a waiting list, the housing association will contact you once they have a suitable home to offer you.

Housing associations come with more affordable rents and more secure tenancies. They invest their revenue back into the homes and communities they serve.

Learn more about housing associations and how to apply.

Who can apply

Anyone who is 16 or older can apply to a housing association.

Because of demand, housing associations usually prioritise people from specific groups, including:

• people on a low income
• older people
• disabled people
• people who need support to live in their own home.

Check the list of housing associations in Renfrewshire below to find out which ones are relevant to you and how to contact them.

How housing associations work

You must apply directly to a housing association, not to the council, if you want to get onto a housing association's waiting list.

Different housing associations cover different areas, so you might want to apply to more than one, depending on where you want to live.

Once you're on a waiting list, the housing association will contact you once they have a suitable home to offer you. Because of demand, there's no guarantee that you'll be offered a home.

List of housing associations in Renfrewshire

There are 14 housing associations in Renfrewshire. They have around 9,000 homes between them.

Check the list of housing associations in Renfrewshire, what types of homes they have, and how to contact them so you can apply.

Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable homes to people.

Although housing associations are not part of the council, we work closely with them to help local people find homes. For example, we can refer people who have applied for council housing to get a housing association property.

Dry out your home

Dry out any affected rooms by keeping doors and windows open where possible, and leave your heating on. 

Leave cupboard doors and drawers open to allow them to dry more quickly. 

A dehumidifier can also help with drying out the room further. Email us at repairs@renfrewshire.gov.uk to ask us about getting one.

Keep any damaged items

Don't throw away any water-damaged possessions or furnishings straight away, as your insurance company may need to take a look at them. Store everything together in a dry place.

Check your insurance policy

Check your insurance policy as soon as possible. This may cover the costs of temporary accommodation for you and your family if you need it. The council does not provide home contents insurance for furniture, belongings or decor damaged by burst pipes. 

If you're a council tenant, you can join the AVIVA contents insurance scheme or make your own arrangements for home contents insurance. 

How to defrost a frozen pipe

Step 1: Find where the pipe is blocked

If one of your pipes is frozen, find out where the blockage of frozen ice is first.

Do this by looking for signs of freezing along the pipes. Use your hands to feel along the pipe until you find the section that feels colder than the rest of the pipe.

During very cold weather, you may find more than one section of a pipe has frozen. This is more likely to occur where pipes are exposed to draughts or where a pipe enters your home from the outside.

Step 2: Protect your possessions and furniture

If a pipe is frozen, protect everything around it to avoid any damage if it bursts. Move smaller items out of the way and cover up larger items.

Step 3: Turn off the stopcock

Turn the water off at the stopcock to prevent any more leaking. The stopcock is a tap that controls the water flow from the mains water supply into your home. It is usually found under the kitchen sink or in your hallway.

If you have a cold water tank, the stopcock is usually found in the attic or loft.

Step 4: Run the closest tap

Run the cold tap closest to the part of the pipe that's frozen. This will allow melting water to flow away from the section of frozen pipe.

Step 5: Start defrosting the pipe

Slowly and carefully thaw the ice in the pipe with a hairdryer, starting at the top end and working backwards towards the cold water tank. 

Do not hold the hairdryer too close to the pipes. Take care as the pipe could burst at any time and spray water as it starts to thaw.

If you don't have a hairdryer, you can slowly thaw out the frozen section of the pipe by covering it with hot water bottles or heat packs.

Never use a naked flame or a heat gun to thaw out ice, as this is a fire hazard and could damage your pipes.

Step 6: Check the pipe for damage

Once you've thawed out your pipes, check them thoroughly for any signs of damage, like cracks; bulges; or leaks. 

If the pipes are damaged, tell us by phoning 0300 300 0300.

Step 7: Turn on the taps

Once the blockage has thawed, turn your stopcock back on and run the water until it starts running at a normal flow.

How to prevent frozen pipes

The most common reasons for frozen pipes are:

• poorly protected pipes that are not properly insulated
• exposure to icy draughts, usually caused by cracks or gaps where the pipe enters your home
• warm air or heating not reaching pipes near or inside cupboards if the cupboard doors are closed.

Get your house insulated

There are some things you can do prevent frozen pipes and keep the heat in your home including:

• getting your loft and the sides of your water tanks insulated
• wrapping your pipes in lagging to prevent them getting damaged or bursting - lagging is a foam material that insulates them to keep the heat in the pipes
• filling in wall gaps or cracks.

To get insulation or lagging installed, or wall gaps or cracks filled, ask for this on the Report a housing repair form.

Turn the heating and hot water on regularly

Many modern boilers have a frost protection thermostat which turns on automatically if the temperature drops enough for your pipes to freeze. You should check this is working properly.

In very cold weather, you may need to leave your heating on a low setting, or set it to come on a couple of times a day, especially if you're going to be away from your home for more than a few days.

Open cupboard doors when the heating is on to prevent the pipes inside from freezing. 

Find where the stopcock is

Make sure you know where the stopcock is in your home. Check that you can turn it off easily in an emergency.

If you can't find your stopcocks, phone our repair service on 0300 300 0300.

If you're going to be away from your home

If your property is going to be empty for a while more than a few days during winter:

• make sure the water is turned off at the mains
• leave the central heating on low
• ask a friend or relative to check your home regularly to make sure that your pipes haven't burst or frozen
• let your housing officer know if there is any risk of water pipes freezing whilst you are away.

If a frozen pipe has burst in your home, phone us on 0300 300 0300.

In the meantime, try to remove the leaked water and sort out any damage to your home and possessions.