Highland recycling arrangements over festive period

As preparations are under way for the festive season, The Highland Council would like to encourage the public to do their bit for the environment and try to consume responsibly to help reduce the extra waste that is created at this time of year.

Cllr Graham MacKenzie, Chair of Communities and Place Committee said: “Remembering to recycle this Christmas and News Year is really important and plays a large part in helping to reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal and improves our carbon footprint.”

He continues, “New recycling services are now in place across the majority of Highland with the new twin bin recycling system in place. In the areas which have the new service, the blue recycling bins are for recycling Christmas cards, envelopes, paper wrapping paper, paper packaging and cardboard.  The green recycling bins are for all your food tins, drinks cans, food and drink cartons, aerosols, clean tin foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. This includes those empty tubs and tins of lovely biscuits, sweeties and chocolates!”

The new recycling service will be introduced in Skye and Lochalsh in Spring 2025 with Lochaber completing the roll out in Summer 2025.

Please remember that ‘soft plastics’ cannot be recycled in any of Highland Council recycling bins. This includes crisp packets, cling film and plastic wrap and bags. It may be possible to recycle these at local supermarkets but if not, they go in the non-recyclable waste bin.

To find out what can go in your recycling bins visit the Council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/householdbinwaste

Planning the all-important food shop can help reduce food waste and save money. The festive foods people most often buy too much of are cheese, biscuits, chocolate, alcohol and vegetables.

Being mindful about the amount bought could make all the difference and save some money along the way. Also getting the most out of meals by using all leftovers or freezing them, will contribute to the reduction of waste from households. More information, tips and tricks can be found at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

For unavoidable food waste such as turkey bones, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and coffee grinds, residents who have a food waste collection in Inverness, Nairn and Easter Ross are reminded to make maximum use of their food waste collection service. To find out more about the Food Waste Collection Service visit: https://www.highland.gov.uk/foodwaste

One area of waste that is becoming more prominent is the issue of electronic waste. Did you know electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world?

Cllr MacKenzie has this important message, “Recycling is the safest way to dispose of electricals if they can’t be repaired and allows valuable materials and resources to be recovered.”

He continued, “Keeping electronic and electrical items out of bins has never been more important. If you are having a clear out before Christmas, please have a think about what you can do with your old tech and gadgets. Can it be repaired? Can you sell it? Or give it away on local reuse networks like Freecycle? Please do not put it in your non-recyclable bin.”

If items can’t be re-used in any way, please take them to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre which can be found at: www.highland.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.

Don't forget to recycle your batteries at Household Waste Recycling Centres or at your local supermarket. Please do not put batteries in your household bins or public litter bins as this is a fire risk.  If throwing out old, broken toys, remember to remove any batteries first, so that they can be recycled properly.

After Hogmanay celebrations, please take empty glass bottles to local bottle banks or Household Waste Recycling Centres. Glass does not need to be separated into colours which makes it even more easy to recycle your glass bottles and jars.

If you have a real Christmas tree this year, you can take it to your Household Waste Recycling Centre where it will be recycled into compost.

Some bin collection dates will change over the festive period.

If your bin is usually collected on a Wednesday or a Thursday, see the alternative dates below:

• Wednesday 25 December 2024 collections will be collected on Saturday 21 December 2024
• Thursday 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day) collections operating as normal
• Wednesday 1 January 2025 collections will be collected on Saturday 28 December 2024
• Thursday 2 January 2025 collections will be done on Saturday 4 January 2025

If your bin is not emptied on the dates as detailed above, please leave it out and we will collect it as soon as possible.

To check your bin collections please visit: www.highland.gov.uk/bincalendars

Household Waste Recycling Centres are open throughout the Festive period except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 1 and 2 January. Householders are reminded to separate their items before arriving at the site – this saves time and increases the amount of recycling.

Please check www.highland.gov.uk/recyclingcentres for full details of Household Waste Recycling Centre opening hours and for the full range of materials accepted. Please be advised that trailers and vans (under 3.5T) need to book to visit the larger sites using the above link.

For further information about recycling in the Highlands visit: www.highland.gov.uk/recycle or    email recycle@highland.gov.uk