St Andrews businesses praised as bin scheme has a ‘promising start’

Businesses in St Andrews have been praised for their approach to a new policy designed to get unsightly bins off the town’s streets.

Fife Council chiefs have described the response to the town centre’s commercial bin presentation policy as a “promising start” and praised the positive action being taken by local businesses and waste contractors.

The scheme will come into full effect on April 1 but it was given a “soft” launch on January 1. Commercial waste can only be placed on the street within a specific collection time-slot.

Waste must also be put out in sacks protected by pest-proof covers.

Businesses will need a special exemption if they want to put their waste or containers on public footways and roads.

The new policy is designed to improve public safety, encourage local businesses to manage their rubbish responsibly and reduce the amount of litter that can lead to vermin and gull infestations.

Environment convener Ross Vettraino said: “The business owners in St Andrews are to be commended for getting behind the policy and supporting it.

“Much of the feedback has been really good and the policy has already begun to deliver the desired effect of a cleaner and tidier St Andrews.

“It is important that the remainder of the soft launch period is used to iron out any remaining issues to ensure, come April 1, that all waste is being presented within the collection window and that sacks are covered by a pest-proof cover.”

Containers found on streets and lanes in the town centre outside designated times could be removed by the council, with the cost of doing so being passed on to offenders.

The new arrangements were brought in at the start of the year, but officers have been warning businesses without confiscating bins until the policy is fully implemented.

That will also allow time for the council to further engage with and assist businesses facing particular compliance challenges.