Highland Council receives approval for amended Household Waste Policy

Highland councillors were updated on an "essential" change to bin collections which will come into effect across the region next year.

Households will get an extra bin as part of the changes which aim to increase the amount of waste recycled while saving money for the service.

The current green general waste bins will be converted to collect plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, cans, tins, foil and cartons.

The current blue recycling bin used for mixed recycling will be converted to collect paper and card.

All household will also be given a new 180 litre grey bin for general waste. However, if you currently opt in for the weekly food waste recycling service, you will receive a slightly smaller 140 litre grey general waste bin.

The roll-out of this new waste and recycling system will begin in April 2024.

The update given to the Community and Place Committee also included details of the communications and engagement plan.

This included the details of the communications and engagement plan, developed to support households and business through the transition to the new waste and recycling collection service.

Chair of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, Cllr Graham MacKenzie, said: “The service changes are essential to achieving a sustainable collection service model, particularly against the backdrop of a large budget deficit.

“An overall forecasted positive position will be achieved through a reduction in costs associated with residual waste treatment and through improving the quality and quantity of recycling that we collect.”

The councillors also approved a six-month trial at Inverness Household Waste Recycling Centre, to understand the impacts of amending entry guidance to allow vans and trailers to deposit limited quantities of waste.

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