With the help of the views of consultation responses, the Council has updated its approach to providing second green bins.
The approach underlines the Council’s commitment to a climate-friendly ɬ, increasing recycling levels and meeting the needs of households.
In recognising there are some circumstances where some households will require an additional second green bin for general waste, the new criteria will target those in most need:
- Households with children using disposable nappies must have two or more children under four-years-of-age; or
- One or more resident in the household has a medical condition that results in increased volumes of domestic waste as a result of clinical/medical waste; or
- There are five or more people resident in the household.
Households that qualify for an additional green general waste bin will still receive them free of charge. The Council will check every two years to see if they are still needed and, if not, they will no longer be collected and emptied.
Please remember, all households can request an additional FREE blue recycling bin. Advice on what you can recycle, where you live, can also be found on the Council website.
There will also be some changes to the ɬ for assisted bin lifts to make sure it is provided consistently and safely. The Council will now ask that:
- When the householder is not physically able to present their bin for collection at kerbside as a result of age, poor health or disability the Council may request a medical certificate if required as evidence of eligibility.
- The collection point for the bin within the property should be within 30 metres of the kerbside.
- There may be a risk assessment to check there is nothing to impede the safe collection and return of the bin to and from kerbside.
- The bin should be easy for staff to access to the bin on collection day.
- That there is no other householder, neighbour or social care assistant who could assist place and retrieve the bin from kerbside.
- The need for this service will be checked every two years.
These new policies will be introduced in around three months. Those affected will be contracted directly. Information will also be available through social media, the council website and other available channels.
In addition, every household in ɬ will be required to put the name or number of their home on their bin. This allows council operatives to make sure they are only uplifting domestic bins and that council taxpayers are not unfairly subsidising commercial waste uplifts which should be paid for.
Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation. We had a great response and your views shaped criteria that balance the needs of individuals and families, with environmental responsibilities.
“The fact is we must recycle more. Zero Waste Scotland research shows that around 52% of what is in our green general waste bin could be recycled. If we put more of the right stuff into our blue bins, we would make more space in our green bins.
“As of 1 January 2026, new legislation means sending household waste to landfill is no longer an option – we have to focus more on doing all we can to reduce-reuse-recycle. It’s good for the planet, it saves households money and protects council services, so it makes sense for everyone. The Council website, and those of our recycling partners, provide lots of information to help you.”
The decision was taken at the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 11 September.
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