Our wheelie bins will blow away, warn islanders

THEY are designed as a convenient way to get rid of household waste.

But residents of one island community have complained about new wheelie bins – because they fear they will blow away.

At present, bags of rubbish are left by Shetland residents at the roadside for collection and thrown straight into a refuse lorry.

Now each household will receive two wheelie bins – one for paper and cardboard and one for cans, cartons and plastics – which will be collected every other week.

Council bosses have had to provide video demonstrations showing householders the best ways to save their bins from high winds.

Among the suggestions were using bungee cords to keep the lids in place and attaching bins to fences by means of brackets.

Shetland Islands Council has received dozens of complaints and some councillors have aired their own reservations about the scheme, due to begin in March.

Councillor Andrea Manson previously said: ‘I can think of many people who won’t be able to fix down their wheelie bins, so they will fly away. It’s going to be a nightmare.’

Jimmy Laurenson, 70, from Walls, said: ‘We’re getting force nine, ten winds – it’s no joke. They would have to be well anchored down.

‘Where I live it’s a very windy spot and I am off the main road [where the bins are collected]. It’s a gravelly track and I am not getting any younger.

‘It’s the elderly folk that are going to be worst hit. I have got a pick-up but there’s no way I could lift the bin into the pick-up.’

Shetland Islands Council waste management team leader Colin Bragg said: ‘There are minor wheelie bin problems but nothing insurmountable.

‘If any individuals have specific issues about their collection points we would invite them to get in touch.’