Today changes to waste collections in Aberdeenshire were unanimously approved by councillors.
The biggest change affecting residents will be the addition of a 180 litre bin in a three-weekly collection cycle. Where space for a third bin is an issue such as flats, the infrastructure services committee heard assurances that a case-by-case approach would be taken.
The new collection service will comprise of:
Week 1: Food waste (existing caddy) and non-recyclable waste (existing 240L bin).
Week 2: Food waste (existing caddy) and paper and card (existing blue lidded bin).
Week 3: Food waste (existing caddy) and containers – food and drinks cans, cartons, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (new 180L bin).
Ros Baxter, the council’s waste manager, said that missed bin collections would not be acceptable in a three-week cycle and officers would look at how to address that.
The new kerbside collection service is expected to divert 1,249 to 6,434 tonnes of material into recycling, increasing the council’s recycling rate from 44% in 2019 to 45-49% by 2023. The Scottish Government target for recycling is 70% by 2025.
Waste analysis undertaken in 2016/17 showed that over half of materials put into non-recyclable waste bins in Aberdeenshire are recyclable through existing services.
It is anticipated that the roll-out will start in August and proceed one of the six waste depots at a time to ensure the Waste Service can deal with customer enquiries generated and give time to resolve any teething problems. There will be a break in the roll-out over winter and will restart in spring with a completion aim of June 2023.
The addition of the new bin is being financed by a grant of £3,439,328 from Zero Waste Scotland, with the council having to fund £145,345 for printing costs and £419,883 for temporary staffing costs to deliver the project.
FUTURE CHANGES
More changes might take place regarding glass recycling and garden waste.
Councillors also agreed that the Waste Service reviews the service provision for collecting containers, including glass, once the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme has been fully implemented for 12 months. It is due to go live in August 2023.
Secondly, officers will further explore a business case to provide an opt-in chargeable garden waste collection service, with a report to be taken to the committee.
A paid-for garden waste kerbside collection service would allow householders to recycle their garden waste more easily with the potential to capture more garden waste out of the non-recyclable waste bin. That would reduce waste requiring to be disposed of currently through landfill, which should increase the council’s recycling rate.
Currently, 26 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland provide a garden waste service, with 13 of these being an opt-in chargeable service.
I asked when the report on garden waste would come back to the committee, and was told officers are aiming for June. This would allow for an analysis of residual waste in May.
I also asked what the impact might be on the Saturday garden waste service in a dozen communities including Newtonhill. Ros Baxter said it would be taken into consideration and could be part of the savings to help pay for the new service. Interestingly she said that a kerbside garden waste collection could be financed through subscription or savings elsewhere.
The full report can be read here by scrolling to Item 11: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=495&meetid=19813
When is it anticipated all councils in UK adopt the same recycling systems? Where is the glass collection and the soft plastic wrapping that the co-op seems to recycle but not the council, and what do pots and tubs mean flower pots and tubs? This isn’t a system fit for purpose it needs to be clear and simple to implement not just added bits jotted down on the back of a fag packet. Is there a plan to hold suppliers and retailers to account and give them a reasonable date to use less packaging and to use wrapping that recycles easily. We’ve been tampering with this for years and years and still it’s confusing and plain useless.
It will be many years, if ever, before all councils across the UK adopt the same recycling scheme. That’s just not the way local government works. It could change of course if central government (in your scenario that would be Westminster) took over responsibility for waste collection. But I don’t see that happening. Time will tell.
Glass is collected from various bottle banks. The council welcomes suggestions for new sites.
There are many strands to recycling, with the Co-op, Tesco, Asda and other supermarkets accepting plastic film. They sell goods wrapped in the stuff so it is good that they accept responsibility for that.
Flower pots made of plastic go in the blue lidded bin. Ones made of clay go to the recycling centre along with rubble.
Holding suppliers to account is the responsibility of all of us, and principally government. Local authorities participate by submitting their views to central government. Councils are at the end of the chain regarding waste, and have a responsibility to collect domestic waste.
If it is confusing, please check the council’s website to get an A to Z of what goes where: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/household-rubbish/a-z-list-of-materials/
Where are we meant to store all these bins?? and will they have secure lids as with the past weather we have experienced there was a lot of bins getting blown over an all the rubbish blown all over the street. Seriously a collection every 3 weeks is totally unacceptable this will just encourage more roadside dumping!!!what we need is just a bigger recycle bin as I personally recycle all my waste, why not get recycle banks in supermarkets like they have in Holland and everyone takes their bottles to the bottle banks and they get a receipt to get money off when they next shop, this would be a more sensible way to reduce waste,,not another bin!!! or 3 week collection
Householders can put their bins wherever they like, however ti is acknowledged this might be a challenge for some residents. In these case, discussions can take place with the Waste Service to find the best solution. There will be more details about that nearer the time.
The new bin will be of a similar design to the existing bins, except smaller (180L rather than 240L).
There is no reason for this change to lead to fly tipping. If a householder has extra material they need to dispose of, then take it to the recycling centre. If someone can take the time to fill their boot, then why dump it in the country illegally when they can go to the recycling centre?
I’m pleased to hear that you recycle all your waste – if only everyone followed your lead. Thank you.
Turning now to your closing comments about taking bottles to a bottle bank to get a refund, then that is on its way. The Scottish Government is proposing such a scheme, though they have already delayed its introduction for a year. I have seen such a scheme at work in Norway, and welcome the plans. I just wish the Scottish Government would get a move on!