Plan for bin days every three weeks

Kerbside collections in Dundee could change from fortnightly to every three weeks under new proposals.

Dundee City Council’s policy and resources committee will be asked to approve the revised frequency which would come into place in 2021-22.

A revised waste strategy and action plan was agreed in November covering a five-year implementation period.

The action plan detailed 41 different actions to be undertaken by the local authority to improve waste minimisation and recycling performance.

One policy was the revision of collected frequencies for non-recyclable waste in order to encourage householders to make full use of the recycling services available to them at the kerbside.

Dundee City Council has estimated that changing the frequency of general waste collections would result in an annual net revenue saving of £112,000.

Staff savings would be achieved through the combination of non-filling of vacant posts and a reduction in temporary staff.

The authority’s principal officer, Janet Wade, said the changes would not affect blocks of flats where communal bins are used.

These flats will continue to receive twice-weekly collections.

She said: “It is intended that the changes to collection frequency of residual waste from kerbside properties will result in residents recycling more of their waste as they begin to fully utilise the range of available kerbside containers rather than continuing to rely on the general waste containers for the disposal of the majority of their wastes.

“As these changes take effect, collection routes will be reconfigured to ensure maximum efficiences and related savings.

“It is estimated, based on findings from other local authorities, that the overall recycling rate for Dundee will increase.”