Step closer to bin collection changes

THREE-weekly collections of bins containing non-recyclable waste is a step closer in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillors this week agreed to receive a detailed report with options for reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and increasing recycling in the region.

With 13 other Scottish councils already switching to three-weekly pick-ups for household waste, it looks increasingly likely that the same collections frequency will be implemented here for the black/grey/green bins.

A review of the council’s waste collection process in line with government guidelines was discussed at the economy and infrastructure committee on Tuesday.

Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson welcomed the move, saying: “I think the action plan looks good. I do think we really need to be encouraging people to recycle more.”

The Labour Group leader also pointed out missed bin collections figures, particularly in the Annandale area, and asked for an explanation. Alan Mawson, the council’s interim head of facilities, waste and neighbourhood services, explained that the council is still well below its missed bin collection limits across the region.

He said: “I do draw your attention to the fact that it’s only one percent of overall bins that’s not picked up across the region. The target is five percent.”

He added that the main challenge is staff absences due to musculoskeletal issues associated with the manual labour work.

If the council does switch to three-weekly pick-ups for household waste, this would significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and could potentially save the authority up to £1 million each year.

It costs the council £115 per tonne to process non-recycling waste. Last year, 41,953 tonnes of this waste was processed – which equates to more than £4.8m.