Glasgow to see bin collection changes in recycling boost

The frequency of general waste and glass bin collections is set to reduce in parts of Glasgow as the council looks to boost recycling.

Some of the city’s streets could see changes to kerbside collection rolled out next month, with green general waste bins being collected every three-week instead of two.

Purple glass bins would be picked up every eight weeks, rather than four but brown garden waste and blue recycling bins will still be collected every two weeks.

The new bin collection arrangements are intended to boost recycling rates at 117,000 Glasgow homes, the council has said.

Its own study found almost two-thirds of the contents of standard, general waste bins put out to the kerbside for collection could be recycled.

Councillor Anna Richardson wants the city to improve its recycling record. She said: “All the evidence shows that as a city we are not using our bins properly.

“Far too much waste that could easily be recycled is going to landfill or is being reprocessed at far too high a cost to the taxpayer.

“Separating out our waste and putting it in the right bin can have significant environmental and financial benefits.”

The arrangements are set to be introduced to around 8400 homes in the north-east of city with a front and back door in April.

Research from Zero Waste Scotland highlights that approximately 40-50 per cent of the contents of the general waste bin can be placed within the other council recycling services.

Ms Richardson added: “By recycling properly we have a chance to maximise our income and reduce our costs, all of which can help to protect vital services.

“But at the moment we are being highly wasteful with our waste. An aluminium can or plastic drinks bottle in the wrong bin ultimately means money lost for the tax payer.

“Dumping food waste, paper, cardboard or glass in the general bin is like chucking money away as it is much more expensive to process general waste.

“By rebalancing the collection arrangements for kerbside collections we are aiming to ensure we deal efficiently with the waste those households generate.

“The new arrangements put Glasgow in step with the national benchmark of the household recycling charter and will help to make the city as sustainable as possible.”

Households impacted by the changes to kerbside collections will be written to directly, with full details of the plan, including an updated booklet on how to recycle effectively.

Story by local democracy reporter Drew Sandelands