New Improved Blue Bin Service Begins

Photo Caption – The Vice Chair and Chair of the Community Services Committee, Cllrs Richard Greene and Allan Henderson join Waste Management Officer Imogen Percy-Bell to highlight some of the new plastic items that can now be recycled.

• Highland-wide household guide to recycling

• Recycling guide for people living in flats

• Recycling guide for households receiving waste food collections

The Highland Council’s new improved recycling service begins next week. From 31st August residents can also put plastic pots, tubs and trays (excluding black plastic) into the blue recycling bin – in addition to cardboard food & drink cartons, aerosols and envelopes which were added in earlier in the summer. The new materials supplement the original four categories - paper, cardboard, tin cans and plastic bottles.  Householders and business customers are asked to ensure that all items are clean, dry and loose with no plastic bags. Glass should continue to be taken to one of The Highland Council’s network of glass Recycling Points.

Residents should have received a new recycling guide attached to their blue recycling bin by 29th August. Anyone who has not received their guide can request one by calling 01349 886603 or emailing recycle@highland.gov.uk

Zero Waste Scotland have helped fund communications for the improved service which will help The Highland Council meet Scottish Government’s waste reduction targets.

Chair of The Highland Council’s Community Services Committee, Councilor Allan Henderson, said:”The addition of these new materials to the blue bins will help improve landfill diversion and conserve non-renewable resources. More materials in the blue bin is something residents have been requesting for a while and so this is excellent news all round.” He added: “I must, however, re-emphasise to residents the need to ‘keep it clean’ and in particular to rinse out items such as yoghurt pots, ice-cream tubs and fish and meat food trays. It is important that we maintain the excellent quality of the material recycled in The Highland Council area.”

During the next few weeks the Waste Awareness Team will be helping monitor the blue bins collections to minimise the risk of dirty or incorrect material entering the recyclate stream . The Waste Awareness Team are also available to talk to community groups and commercial customers about the new service and offer free training.

For further information about the new items that can be recycled in the blue bins visit: http://www.highland.gov.uk/ . To contact the Waste Awareness Team email recycle@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 886603.