Decision to lift bins every three weeks causes a stink

THE DECISION to uplift general waste in Kintyre only every three weeks has been slammed as rubbish.

A full council meeting in Kilmory last month decided to move to three-weekly collections, from August 22, instead of two as part of a cost-cutting measure designed to save almost £500,000 a year.

Residents fear bins will overflow and the additional delay between collections will attract vermin to rotting food.

Argyll and Bute Council believes the move will help improve recycling levels and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill – currently around 30,000 tonnes every year.

A council spokesman said: ‘Our analysis shows that approximately 40 per cent of what people are putting in their general waste bins can be recycled.

‘The council is putting recycling first and our environmental wardens will be available to provide advice on how householders can increase the amount of material that they can recycle.

‘There are no plans to introduce food recycling in Campbeltown at present.’

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara said: ‘In Scotland, we have made great strides in recycling waste and, as a result, the amount we send to landfill has fallen considerably.

‘But we must recognise that, for reasons of health and safety and environmental protection, it is essential that household rubbish, particularly containing food waste, cannot be left to gather in communal areas for up to three weeks.

‘If the council wants to move to a collection every 21 days, then surely the introduction of a food waste collection programme to minimise the likelihood of attracting vermin is essential. Otherwise this is simply another cost-cutting exercise that will adversely affect the people of Argyll and Bute.’

Amanda Card, business manager at Kintyre Recycling Ltd (KRL) said: ‘We realise there are major challenges and understand people’s concerns. More recycling will help us grow and potentially take on even more staff. KRL sustains 25 jobs currently and keeps £300,000 a year in the local community.

‘If more people recycle it’s better for the environ- ment and there will be less landfill charges.’

Councillor John Armour added: ‘I think the idea behind the three-week collection is good, and hopefully will encourage householders to recycle more but I have been contacted by residents and I think some have very valid concerns.

‘There are blocks of flats with limited room to store bins, making having a second bin and storage of recycling impossible. One block I looked at has a communal bin stored on the opposite side of the street.’