Contractor Biffa apologises for delays in emptying bottle banks but insists waits are unrelated to the Deposit Return Scheme
Highland Council’s contractor has insisted that late collections from bottle banks are unrelated to the Scottish Government’s botched Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and that it is working to resolve the issue.
Earlier, connections had been made between the potential fallout of the failure of the DRS in which Biffa was a strategic partner and the mounting glass at bottle banks across the Highlands.
But a spokesman has confirmed that the two issues are unrelated and the real problem was “as a result of recent operational issues which have impacted our vehicles.”
He went on to say that new “specialised vehicles” have been ordered and are expected to enter service in the next few months.
The spokesman for Biffa, said: “We would like to apologise for any delays to our glass collection service within the Highlands as a result of recent operational issues which have impacted our vehicles.
“We are working constructively with Highland Council to address the missed collections in the first instance, and to also ensure the service isn’t impacted in the future, we have an order of new specialised vehicles which will be entered into our service in the coming months."
Earlier a spokesperson for Highland Council said: "The council’s glass contractor Biffa is experiencing vehicle difficulties which has impacted on servicing the glass recycling banks across the region.
“Biffa is working hard to catch up on the servicing of glass banks – the council is aware of the areas which are most impacted and these are being prioritised. Biffa have confirmed that the two new vehicles are being built and that they will be taking delivery of the ordered replacement vehicles imminently."
