Highland Council's bin plan branded 'ridiculous'
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Plans to introduce a new recycling service – and a new wheelie bin – to Highland households have provoked strong criticism from the public.
Highland Council will introduce the new bins from spring next year.
Existing green general waste bins will be converted to collect mixed containers while blue bins currently used for mixed recycling will be converted to collect paper and card.
There will be a new bin for general waste.
Full details will be communicated by the council to householders in the coming months.
Extra bin on way as new recycling service confirmed
The council says it will help to it to meet recycling commitments and see a net reduction in carbon emissions.
But the plans have prompted a storm of criticism on social media.
Some described the plans as "ridiculous" while other queried the cost at a time when council finances are squeezed.
Allan Thomas Woodward maintained it was spending for the sake of spending.
"Thousands of homes need new windows that don't let in a draught, many need new guttering, loads need upgraded kitchens and bathrooms yet they are willing to spend a fortune making a solution to a problem that doesn't exist," he posted.
Addressing the council, Alison MacPhee said: "This really angers me. You are cutting hours for staff because you don't have money, but then tell us you are spending thousands in new bins. Absolutely ridiculous."
Lianne Cumming said the council had money to spend on bins which did not need changing and commented: "Yet schools are struggling for support staff for ASN (additional support needs) kids due to the council not having the money."
David Edes said Dumfries and Galloway tried multiple bins.
"Eventually deciding it was cheaper having a single bin and a sorting system at the waste transfer facility," he said.
Kim Corbett commented: "It would make sense for the new smaller bin to be for paper and card.
"My household won’t need a blue bin for paper and card but will need the green bin for general waste. Otherwise we have to transport the excess to the dump. What’s green about that?"
Shona Crockett queried why new bins were not being given to households for glass. "Other councils have managed to collect glass from houses for years."
Emily Murray felt there was a better system in Moray.
"They have a green bin for general household waste, blue bin for cardboard and paper, purple bin for tins and orange box for glass jars etc," she said.
"Then they have the brown bin for garden waste. A lot of bins I know but it works."
Sharon Marie Metcalfe commented: "I think it would be a better idea for The Highland Council to send out a letter of what can and can’t be recycled because I’m still very confused about what can go in your recycling bin like for instance deodorant cans, spice jars, some plastics say non recyclable then I think you would have less stuff in general waste bin ?"
Kevin Bruce said: "Sounds like they are just catching up with nearby council areas in Scotland that have been doing this for quite a few years now."
