New bin collection changes begin
Controversial new waste collection changes have been introduced after more than a year of campaigning failed to see them binned.
Since Monday, all households, except some city centre and flatted developments, are having their grey bin (general waste) and blue bin (plastic, cans and cartons) collected every four weeks, instead of fortnightly.
Food waste will still be collected for free, every two weeks, through the brown bin/caddy.
Stirling Council’s SNP/ Labour administration says the four-weekly collection cycle, approved in June 2020, aligns the authority with the Charter for Household Recycling and associated Code of Practice in Scotland, and that the change from fortnightly collections aims to reduce waste to landfill by encouraging better recycling, limiting avoidable costs to the council for landfilling waste, and providing a more efficient bin collection service for residents.
However, the change has sparked outrage, including two petitions.
News last year that the council’s waste transformation programme would see grey and blue bins collected four-weekly instead of fortnightly was met with an outcry, including a 7000-signature online petition. The bid ultimately failed to persuade the SNP/ Labour administration to backtrack.
With the change looming, a fresh petition launched this summer reached more than 4000 names.
Tory councillors are pledging to scrap the move if they take over at the next council elections. They have argued against the change saying it will increase fly-tipping and that neighbouring Falkirk Council has seen no increase in recycling since it introduced a four-weekly cycle.
Stirling Council says new bin collection calendars are available online and locals can check if they have a new collection day by visiting www.stirilng.gov.uk/bins.
More information and recycling tips can be found at: www.stirling.gov.uk/ Recycle4Stirling.