Inverness goes green with blue bins next week

NEW refuse and recycling collections begin next week in the Inverness area.

All households previously without blue recycling wheelie bins should have received their bins which take paper cardboard, plastic bottles, food tins and drink cans.

From next Monday the new service goes live and the bins will be emptied fortnightly, alternating with a fortnightly refuse collection on the same day of the week.

Collection dates are given on the calendars, either distributed with the bins or separately to households who previously received a four-weekly blue bin recycling collection.

These were accompanied by a guide explaining details about how the new service will work.

Highland Council is urging people to read the guide carefully to ensure they understand what can be recycled.

Any householder who has not received a blue recycling bin, calendar or guide should contact the council on 01349 886603.

All items should be put in the bins loose rather than in plastic bags and as the bins don’t take glass, residents are urged to take all glass items to their nearest recycling point or centre.

Currently in the Highlands about half of the glass bottles and jars are being recycled.

Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing said the Inverness roll out marked the largest phase in the introduction of the new refuse and recycling collections which began a year ago.

"With a few vocal exceptions the new collections have been well accepted by people throughout the Highland Council area," he said. "Those aware of the need for us all to do our bit for the planet have welcomed the increased range and frequency of recycling collections and understand the need to redress the balance between waste and recycling in society."

The council’s waste awareness team can offer advice to both householders and businesses, and can be contacted on 01349 886603 or by emailing recycle@highland.gov.uk/recycle.