Highland Council’s new domestic bins now being delivered across Inverness-shire

Moves to boost recycling and cut waste in the Highlands have now moved into Inverness and Inverness-shire after new wheelie bins began being rolled out in the city.

Highland Council is introducing a third waste collection bin for households in the region - with a new black/grey bin for non-recyclable waste being delivered and the existing blue and green/grey bins being repurposed for different types of recycling.

The measure is being phased in, with parts of Ross-shire receiving their bins earlier this year. Under the scheme the new, slightly smaller, black bins will handle general waste and be collected fortnightly, while blue bins will handle paper and cardboard and be collected monthly, and current green (or grey) bins being used for metal tins, plastics and drink cartons and also emptied every four weeks.

The new recycling bins are being funded using Scottish Government cash, and people receiving them will also be provided with a booklet and calendar detailing specific collection dates and what can and cannot be placed inside each one.

Councillor Graham Mackenzie, chairman of the communities and place committee, said: "I am pleased to see the start of the roll out of the new bins is now in Inverness and on schedule. Residents are urged to look out for their new bins arriving and to read the booklet and calendar that accompanies them.

“These have the important information you need to know about when your new collections starts and what to put in each bin. Helpful hints, tips and guidance on how to reduce food waste and useful information on all the recycling services provided by the Council are detailed in the booklet delivered with the new bins."

He continued: “An additional 3500 properties in the Inverness area are also being provided with a new weekly food waste recycling service – this includes parts of the following areas: Beauly, Kirkhill, Kiltarlity, Drumnadrochit, Ardersier, Croy and Tornagrain. Food waste caddies and liners will be delivered to these properties with their new bins. The food waste collected is a valuable resource as it is turned into compost by our contractor and contributes to the overall recycling rate and reduction in carbon emissions in Highland.”

He added: “The council has provided food waste collections in the Inverness city area including Culloden, Smithton, Balloch and Milton of Leys since 2013 and I would urge all households in these areas to ensure they have food waste caddies at their properties so they can separate their food waste for recycling."

Residents in existing food waste collection areas can order food waste caddies by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/binsforyourhome.

Households in receipt of the weekly food waste recycling service are being provided with a new 140 litre grey/black non-recyclable waste bin while all other households will be provided with a new 180 litre grey/black non-recyclable waste bin. All non-recyclable waste bin collections will remain on a fortnightly basis.

Residents who live in flats with communal bin stores or with limited space for new bins will receive separate information about their waste and recycling services over the summer months. A tailored approach will be adopted and will be specific to the needs of each development of flats and the occupants.

Households are advised that the bins are being delivered according to the refuse and recycling collection routes, therefore not all properties within a town/area will have their bins delivered at the same time. More detailed information will be available for householders on the council’s website including the programme of bin deliveries at www.highland.gov.uk/binchanges.

Community engagement sessions are being held in libraries, leisure centres, supermarkets and shops providing more information on the changes to waste and recycling collections. The council’s waste awareness team will be on hand to answer any questions.

New recycling bins for Highland Council business waste customers in Inverness will also be delivered over the next few weeks and information about the new recycling services will be provided to customers.

For more information and tips on how to reduce your waste visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle.

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