Slim bins will drive down landfill costs

West Lothian Council has passed on gratitude to residents who are recycling more since they have received their new slim bin.

The council say the introduction of the slim bins will put the council on the road to driving the potential saving of more than £2 million in landfill costs.

The roll-out of the new bins will continue until December 2016 when all 10 phases will have been completed. So far more than 23,000 bins have been swapped.

Executive councillor for the environment Tom Conn commented: “The policy change was introduced to help improve recycling by encouraging householders to recycle more; and so far the results are very encouraging.

“Reducing the size of the grey bin will result in savings of £ 238,000 each year in West Lothian which is money West Lothian’s council tax payers aren’t spending on landfill charges.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for recycling more. The council’s aim is to make best use of Council Tax payers money by helping and encouraging householders to direct their waste away from landfill by using their alternative recycling options available.”

Once the new slim bin is delivered residents can request additional blue and/or brown bin or an additional food waste caddy, if needed, at no additional charge.

If a household genuinely requires extra grey bin capacity through medical reasons or the number of people within the household then residents can make a request to the council.

Each request is taken on its own merits and dealt with through existing service standards. There is no additional charge.