MP urges waste concessions for nappies

Airdrie’s MP is calling for families with young children to be supplied with free extra bin capacity to cope with the additional waste generated by nappies.

Neil Gray was contacted by a concerned Clarkston mum, noting that her waste bin is currently filled mainly with her baby’s nappies and that the move to three-weekly collection would prove problematic.

Mr Gray contacted North Lanarkshire Council after the family was advised that, while they could have a free indoor nappy bin, they would have to pay for an additional waste bin.

However, the council yesterday told the Advertiser that if families use the nappy bins being made available, but then still need a larger outdoor waste bin – based on assessment after an official visit and completing a waste diary – then there would be no charge.

Mr Gray said:“In other local authorities where there have been changes to bin collections or size, concessions are made for families where there are children under three such as providing a temporary additional slimline bin as there’s an understanding that these families generate additional unrecyclable waste.

“I’ve expressed my concerns about the move to a three-week collection rota. I would have expected the council to make concessions as other authorities do.”

North Lanarkshire Council say the nappy bins now being made available to families compact the waste placed inside to reduce volume ahead of emptying the liner into the external waste bin; and that the bin also adds an extra sealing layer.

They are delivered with a five-month supply of liners, which can then be ordered at cost price.

A spokesperson said: “Households with children using nappies can request a free nappy bin by calling Northline on 01698 403110.”

North Lanarkshire’s new waste cycle, which got under way on Monday, now sees waste bins collected on a three-weekly cycle along with changed green-lidded and blue bins.

The former now combines glass, metal, plastic and cartons, while blue bins are used only for paper and card; and both food and garden waste are now to be combined in the brown bin, which will be collected fortnightly.