Look out for new green bins

People in West Lothian will be given a new bin to use as recycling rules change over the coming weeks.

Locals will soon be receiving their new green bin for recycling over the next month.

The new green bin will be used to recycle plastic bottles, tubs and trays, tins, drink cans, and cartons.

The existing blue bin can now only be used to recycle paper and cardboard items.

Recycling bins will still be picked up every two weeks, although the green and blue will rotate - for example: grey bin first week, green bin second week, grey bin third week, and blue bin fourth week.

Householders should receive an updated collection calendar with details of new collection dates.

If residents have not received their green bin, they should continue using their blue bin as normal until the arrival of the new recycling bin.

The green bins are being introduced to help tackle ‘contamination’ while recycling - contamination being any material present in the bin that shouldn’t be there.

Food and liquid contamination are the main issues the council face when recycling in West Lothian.

Items in the green bin should be clean, empty, and dry - to allow pick up and processing during collection there is no way to clean contaminated recycling at waste management facilities, and costs the council more to dispose of.

The new green bins will be delivered to residents throughout May and June.

All new bins should arrive with a leaflet under the handle with information about the new waste collection service, alongside an updated sticker to put on the bin.

For more information and updates on bin collection services, visit www. westlothian.gov.uk/bin-changes