City image improved by major reduction in on-street trade waste
The introduction of a Trade Waste Policy aimed at making Inverness city centre streets ‘cleaner, greener and safer’ has been a resounding success - Members of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee were informed today (22 November) at Inverness Town House.
Since its implementation in April 2018, the policy has enabled a 90% reduction in the number of trade waste bins permanently positioned in city centre public spaces (from 193 to 19 bins) and removal of those in prominent busy areas such as Mealmarket Close, Hamilton Street, High Street, and the bottom of Stephens Brae.
Councillors were informed by Senior Environmental Health Officer, Gregor Mac Cormick that the policy had met the majority of its aims and key objectives within the first eight months of implementation. He added that the Environmental Health Service is in contact with businesses that use the remaining 19 bins in public display to support them to comply with the trade waste policy requirements.
A review and public consultation of the policy carried out by Environmental Health identified that some businesses and waste contractors expressed a desire for the timing of the morning trade waste collection to be extended. Members agreed to this request and recommendation by Council Officers to extend the collection time to 1 hour earlier from 06:00 – 10:00. Evening waste collections will remain the same from 18:00 – 21:00.
Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael said: “Inverness is now cleaner, tidier and safer for all those who live, work and visit the city centre thanks to the Trade Waste Policy approved by Members of the City of Inverness Area Committee. I would like to thank our Environmental Health Team for this great work; and also the Street Cleaning staff who are now able to do a more effective job.
“I am very pleased to hear and see that less on street bins has reduced the amount of litter on our streets and removed opportunity for gulls to make a mess. I am also encouraged that Environmental Health continues to work with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to ensure that the placement of trade waste bins complies with legislation to keep everyone safe."
Members were also informed that while the majority of city centre businesses were complying with the Trade Waste Policy, Environmental Health had issued 2 fixed penalty notices for fly tipping and would continue to take such enforcement action where evidence of fly tipping is found or reported to the Council.
Further information on the Inverness city centre trade waste policy can be found on the council’s website at https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1060/rubbish_-_commercial_waste/792/inverness_city_centre_trade_waste
