EXCLUSIVE: Angus waste chiefs address 4 key points as new bin scheme starts

Collections in the first phase of a new Angus kerbside recycling system will begin for Arbroath residents from Monday.

By Graham Brown

June 15 2024, 6:01am

New blue bins for paper and card being rolled out to improve Angus recycling rates. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Angus waste bosses have urged residents to take a positive approach to new kerbside recycling rules as the roll-out of the scheme gets underway.

From Monday, homes in Arbroath, Monifieth and Carnoustie will have a new colour to remember on ‘bin day’.

They are the first to get the blue wheelie bin for paper and cardboard only, with glass no longer allowed in their grey recycling bin.

Instead, bottles and jars should be taken to new community recycling points.

Once the full Angus roll-out is complete there will be almost 200 across the entire district.

Angus glass recycling bins — New Angus glass bins in Monifieth. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

The changes have led to a number of concerns since being agreed as part of this year’s budget.

So The Courier spoke to the top council officials overseeing the changes.

Environment and infrastructure director Graeme Dailly and waste strategy and compliance team leader Susanne Austin set about “busting some of the myths” around the changes.

1. The cost question

Mr Dailly said: “We have almost £3 million of funding (from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund). So the outlays including the purchase of the (66,000) blue bins is being funded.

“We will be delivering the saving because it will be a lot cheaper for us to process the recycling we collect.”

The bulk of recyclable Angus rubbish currently heads to Newry in Northern Ireland.

Food waste, however, is dealt with at an anaerobic digester plant in Perthshire.

It was the best contract the council could get – and Mr Dailly hopes the changes will bring cash rewards.

new recycling bins for Angus households — Blue bins being delivered in the first phase of the new scheme. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

The sorting process at the other end is what reduces the value of Angus recycling.

“We’re hopeful we will get an income from separating the material, there’s a big difference in cost” said Mr Dailly.

“Waste collection is the third highest area of spend the council has. So it is one of the few areas we genuinely can make a difference in just by improving our recycling.

“We’ve consistently been one of the best, or the best, recycling local authority in Scotland.

“We’re proud of that. But as good as we are there’s still a lot we collect that shouldn’t be going in the purple bin.

“There will be some where it will be difficult to change behaviours. But we are talking a very small number relative to the total population of Angus.”

2. Contaminant clampdown

The council previously warned it will not empty purple bins which contain a large amount of recyclable material.

“We’re not talking about a stray plastic bottle here and there,” says Mr Dailly.

Ms Austin adds: “We’re going to introduce a tagging system, the same as we have for the grey bin currently.

New Angus recycling rules. — Residents will get a reminder of what goes where for recycling. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“We will empty them, but tag them. A purple bin would only be left if there’s ongoing issues.

“But our aim is very much to have conversations with people to help them overcome barriers they might have with recycling.”

And the council’s food waste service is being expanded to almost 4,000 extra homes.

“We’ve seen hundreds of requests for a food caddy, which is really promising,” she added.

3. Blue bin blues

If a household has signed up to the garden waste scheme it will mean a four bin line-up – grey, green, blue and purple.

“We’ve already delivered thousands of new bins and a small number have come back saying they’ve an issue over space,” said Mr Dailly.

Recycling bins in Angus. — Many households will have four wheelie bins. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“By no means are we not listing to these concerns. We try to provide advice and support.”

Ms Austin adds: “If people have no outside space they can get in touch. We’ve had officers got out under the recycling fund to carry out assessments.”