Blue bins delivered in advance of new Inverness refuse and recycling collections
Preparations are continuing for the roll out of the largest phase of The Highland Council’s new refuse and recycling service to the Inverness area on 2nd April and also to remaining parts of Wester Ross.
The changes will see a fortnightly recycling collection from blue wheelie bins alternating with a fortnightly refuse collection, both on the same day of the week - recycling one week and refuse the following.
Over the next few weeks householders in the Inverness area, presently with blue recycling boxes, also those in the remaining parts of Wester Ross without a recycling service, will be delivered a blue wheelie bin. The bins will be accompanied by a calendar and guide explaining the new service. Residents in more rural areas, which presently have a 4-weekly mixed recycling collection from blue wheelie bins will also be delivered calendars and guides explaining the new service.
The 2 year calendars show clearly which bin to put out each week and the accompanying booklet, as well as explaining how to use the blue recycling bin, also offers guidance on managing and reducing waste. It includes advice on how to recycle other unwanted items, reduce food waste and composting. About 30% of the waste in the average refuse bin could be composted.
The garden waste ‘brown bin’ service presently operating in the Inverness area is unaffected by the changes. Residents in this area with blue boxes are also encouraged to use these to store glass bottles and jars to take to a Recycling Point or Centre. Presently only about half of all glass bottles and jars are being recycled.
The Council’s Commercial customers are also being offered recycling collections for the first time and will be expected to recycle as a condition of their contract. By now all commercial customers should have received information packs about the new service and been offered a visit to discuss any concerns they may have.
Chairman of The Highland Council’s TEC Services Committee, Councillor John Laing said: “The continuing rollout of the new collections is part of the council’s commitment to reaching the 70% recycling targets set by the Scottish government for 2025. I am very pleased at how smoothly the new collections have been introduced so far. Inverness has always presented the biggest logistical challenge. However I am confident that we will see the same commitment from the people of Inverness that has been shown by those elsewhere in the Highlands.”
For more information about the new collection service or how to reduce your waste please call 01349 886603; email recycle@highland.gov.uk or