Hold-ups adding to anger at ‘bonkers’ bin plans

ANGUS Council’s kerbside recycling shake-up has been branded “bonkers” after it emerged the controversial scheme has been delayed until the summer.

Changes aimed at saving the council £500,000 a year were to be introduced in Arbroath, Monifieth and Carnoustie this month.

But we revealed the programme has been pushed back to June.

Waste chiefs have still to decide the location of almost 200 community glass recycling points.

A ban on glass in household bins has proved one of the most contentious aspects of the scheme.

Residents will also get a new bin for cardboard and paper only. It will be collected on alternate fortnights and the current grey recycling bin will be for cans and plastic only.

And councillors backed a policy not to empty purple general waste bins if refuse workers find they contain too much recyclable material.

One reader responded: “Angus Council must quantify what is ‘too much’. This could be in cubic capacity or weight but ‘too much’ is open to too many opinions.”

The glass ban is a talking point, with one critic saying: “Stopping the very successful kerbside glass collection is the most bonkers of decisions.”

Concerns have also been raised over the addition of another bin.

“At the moment it is difficult for elderly and infirm people and also (the) disabled to negotiate around all the bins left on the pavements,” posted one reader.

“So do they think it makes sense to put MORE bins on the roadside?”

The latest hold-up means the scheme will not be fully implemented until spring 2025.

Montrose and Brechin are scheduled to follow in the autumn. Forfar, Kirriemuir and Sidlaw will be the final phase.

A council spokesperson said: “The changes to the timeline are to allow for feedback from residents as to where they think glass recycling points should be situated and for further communications around the overall changes.”