Backlash over plans to cut commercial
A CITY business owner has said he will defy council orders to clear the streets of commercial waste.
Bill Patterson, owner of Adventure 1, on Dundas Street, has branded Glasgow City Council bosses “mad” after they instructed businesses that any rubbish not collected within designated uplift times should be returned to the premises.
The scheme, which is aimed at tackling unsightly commercial waste bins, will be rolled out across the city centre by the end of March.
Mr Patterson, who has traded at the shop for 25 years, says the scheme will worsen outstanding issues with cleansing. He added: “For five years, I’ve been trying to get them to collect the rubbish. I’ve had to get local councillors involved and speak directly to the cleansing team.
“At points, I’ve had to wait eight days for a collection because they’ve missed us.
“Now, if our bins aren’t collected when they say, we have to take them back into shop. I’m not doing it.
“It would put our customers and my staff at risk with the health and safety issues it would present.
“Rubbish that’s been on the street could have been defecat- ed on by dogs or birds, or spat on by the public. We’re right beside Queen Street station so there’s a l ot of people passing.
“Some of the businesses nearby don’t have anywhere to store their rubbish apart from on the street and places like the tattoo shop next door have special waste.
“The council are trying to pass responsibility for rubbish onto businesses because they are struggling.
“We have already had to hire private contractors to pick up some of our waste.”
The shop, which specialises in military clothing and camping gear, faces the additional problem of not being able to fit their bin through the front door.
Waste will only be allowed to be placed on the street when the business is staffed and never overnight.
The scheme will be rolled out to the north-west of the city by September 15, the south of Glasgow by December 8 and the north-east of the city by March 2 next year.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, said: “Our colleagues in the council’s Food Safety Hygiene unit provided guidance about the implementation of the Commercial Waste Pilot project and have no major concerns.
“Ultimately it all comes to where and how the waste is stored on site to ensure there is no contamination.
“It should be noted that businesses are legally obliged to comply with this scheme, which received overwhelming levels of support in the consultation process.”
The authority added it is the owners responsibility to ensure the bins are kept clean and any concerns should be raised with trade waste contractors.