Opinions sought on new sites for bottle banks

ANGUS residents are being asked to say where they want 170 bottle banks placed.

Recycling points will be sited throughout the area when a ban on jars and bottles in household bins comes into force.

Arbroath, Monifieth and Carnoustie will be the first towns to have the new rules applied in mid-June.

It is part of a kerbside recycling shake-up designed to save the council £500,000 annually.

But the controversial scheme is behind schedule, having been due to start in March and it will not be until next spring before the roll-out is complete. It follows a survey response of household recycling bins.

Waste chiefs have now launched an online survey asking for suggestions where an extra 170 glass recycling points should go.

Residents can offer their locations on the Engage Angus section of the council’s website.

They say the bottle banks should ideally be where:

people go regularly, such as supermarkets, leisure centres and village halls;

a pavement is wide enough for the bin to sit;

bin lorries can stop safely;

there is clear access to empty the bin;

the bin is not directly next to someone’s home.

A council spokesman said: “In line with neighbouring councils, glass will no longer be collected in your grey recycling bin.

“We’re increasing the number of recycling points from 23 to 190.”

The Scottish Government’s recycling improvement fund will cover the initial cost.

“We are currently assessing suggestions for the Arbroath, Monifieth and Carnoustie area, where the bin changes start from mid-June.

“In June, we will start assessing suggestions for the Forfar and Kirriemuir area – changes begin in autumn 2024.

“We will assess suggestions for the Montrose and Brechin area over the winter period.”