Funding secured for new recycling service roll-out 

Highland Households will see the introduction of a new recycling service across the region following a Scottish Government funding award to The Highland Council.

Chair of Communities and Place Committee, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “This welcome funding from the Scottish Government Recycling Improvement Fund will enable the Council to meet its recycling commitments and see a net reduction in carbon emissions.

“The Council will now start to put arrangements in place to enable the changes to our recycling and will inform the public on how these services will be rolled-out across Highland in phases starting from April 2024.”

At recent Communities and Place Committee, Councillors approved the introduction of an additional wheeled bin to household recycling with a phased roll-out from Spring 2024.

The Council plans to expand the weekly food waste recycling service beyond Inverness to include households within Nairn, Fort William and the towns in Easter Ross.

Households in receipt of the weekly food waste recycling service will be provided with a new 140 litre grey general waste bin while all other households will be provided with a new 180 litre grey general waste bin. All refuse collections will remain on a fortnightly basis.

The existing green general waste bin will be converted to collect mixed containers (plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, cans, tins, foil and cartons) and will be collected every 4 weeks.

The existing blue bin currently used for mixed recycling will be converted to collect paper and card and will be collected every 4 weeks.

Zero Waste Scotland CEO Iain Gulland said: “The Recycling Improvement Fund supports councils to expand and enhance their recycling capabilities, benefiting locals and accelerating Scotland’s progress towards achieving net zero. 

“Highland Council’s proposal to introduce twin-stream kerbside recycling and expand its weekly food waste collection service could increase the area’s recycling rate by around 5% - which is substantial. 

“This project will make a material difference to the community, and Zero Waste Scotland is pleased to support Highland Council through the fund.” 

Funding to make modifications to the Portree and Caithness Waste Transfer Stations to help support the changes to the recycling services is also included in the award from the Scottish Government. 

The Council has also approved capital investment in waste infrastructure with the construction of a new Waste Transfer Station in Fort William, along with a communications and engagement package to support residents with the changes to the recycling services when they are implemented in 2024.  

Full details on the planned changes and the phases for each area will be communicated by the Council to householders in the coming months.

For tips on how to reduce your waste and for more information on recycling www.highland.gov.uk/recycle or email recycle@highland.gov.uk