‘Amazing’ number of Caithness residents unaware of looming bin changes
Many householders in Caithness remain unaware of the major changes to bin collections that will take effect later this year, it has been claimed.
The new arrangements are due to be introduced in the county in the autumn, after being trialled in Ross-shire and Dornoch first.
Highland Council is altering the collections so that recyclable material is split into two wheelie bins, while waste for landfill will go into a new, smaller bin.
Allan Bruce, vice-chairman of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, wants to help ensure there is a smooth changeover when the time comes.
Speaking at the community council’s May meeting this week, Mr Bruce said: “I know it’s a bit further on for Caithness, it’s not happening until September – but in some areas it’s starting to get rolled out just now.
“Just with the conversations that I’ve been having with family, friends and work colleagues, it’s amazing the amount of people that don’t really know it’s coming or don’t seem to understand why it’s being done in the first place.”
Details of the changes are on the Highland Council website.
Green (or grey) bins will be used to recycle mixed plastics, metals, and food and drink cartons.
Blue bins will be used to recycle paper, card and cardboard only. Each of the recycling bins will be collected every four weeks.
Around 15,000 properties in Ross and Cromarty are being provided with a new weekly food waste recycling service.
Households in receipt of the weekly food waste recycling service will be provided with a new 140-litre grey non-recyclable waste bin, while all other households will be provided with a new 180-litre grey non-recyclable waste bin. All non-recyclable waste bin collections will remain on a fortnightly basis.
A detailed booklet will be delivered with the new bins explaining the changes and what to put in each bin. A new collection calendar will also be provided with the details of the day the new collection service starts and which bin to put out.
