New recycling collections for Badenoch & Strathspey
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that the majority of the new grey non-recyclable waste bins have now been delivered to householders in Badenoch & Strathspey, ready for the new collections which start for many households next week.
Householders' existing recycling bins will continue to be converted to paper/card and mixed plastic and metal containers bins over the coming weeks ahead of the new twin stream recycling collections starting.
Residents are urged to read the detailed booklet which has been delivered with the new bins explaining the changes and what to put in each bin. A new collection calendar has also been provided with the details of the day the new collection service starts and which bin to put out.
Councillor Graham Mackenzie, Chair of Communities and Place Committee, stated, “I am delighted to see that the majority of new bins have been delivered in Badenoch & Strathspey and are on schedule to start their new collections next week”.
He continued, “Highland Council Business Waste customers will also receive their new recycling bins over the next few weeks as well, along with a new recycling guide detailing how to use the new recycling service and when their service will start”.
He continued, “The Highland Council has made a commitment to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste sent for disposal and increase the amount recycled - these changes will help make it easier for the public to recycle more, helping them to reduce their impact on the environment.”
“Separating the recyclable material collected at the kerbside into two bins is called twin stream recycling and will improve the quality and quantity of recycling, reduce the costs associated with waste disposal, which in turn will help to maintain other vital services”.
The Waste Aware Team have been on hand to answer any questions residents may have at a couple of Community Engagement Sessions in the Aviemore Community Leisure Centre over the last 2 weeks.
On Sunday (1 September), the Waste Aware Team will also be attending the Greentown Show in Grantown providing more information about the new services and tips on reducing waste at home.
The Highland Council received £6.55 million in funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund to implement the changes to waste and recycling collections for communities across the region.
The funding includes the provision of the all new non-recyclable waste bins to householders along with facilitating the expansion of the food waste collection service to another 30,000 households in the more densely populated areas of Highland, further enhancing the recycling services provided by the Council. Modifications to the Portree and Caithness Waste Transfer Stations to help support the changes to the recycling services is also included in the funding 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.
The changes to waste and recycling collections are being implemented in a phased approach across the Highland region and started with Ross and Cromarty in April, Nairn in May with Inverness in May/June. Indicative dates for future phases are detailed below:
Sutherland – September 2024
Caithness – October/November 2024
Skye & Lochalsh – February 2025
Lochaber – April/May 2025
Households are advised that the changes will be implemented according to the refuse and recycling collection routes, therefore not all properties within a town/area will have their bins delivered at the same time. More detailed information will be available for householders on the Councils website including the programme of bin deliveries. www.highland.gov.uk/binchanges
For more information and tips on how to reduce your waste please visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle
