Around 30,000 households in parts of east Fife are to see their bins day change for the first time in years.
Changes to routes will come into force from February 18.
Amid fears the new arrangements could cause confusion, council chiefs have acknowledged the shake-up could be considered an “inconvenience” to many people, although they say the development of new homes has effectively forced their hand.
Shaun Kenyon, Fife Council’s waste operations team manager, explained: “The existing rounds have been in place for a number of years, and have so far remained unchanged through budget cuts and new housing developments.
“A growth in housing has led to pressure on some routes. The new collection routes allow capacity for future growth and ensure that local people continue to get a good service.
“We appreciate that changing the collection days may be an inconvenience in the short term, but the change will make the service more efficient, reducing travel time and make collection routes more streamlined.”
Residents in Newport-on-Tay, Tayport, Newburgh, Leuchars, Guardbridge, St Andrews, Dairsie, Strathkinness, Cupar, Ladybank, Falkland, Auchtermuchty, Upper and Lower Largo, Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie and Kennoway will all see changes to their collection days.
Landfill bins are being fitted with tags informing residents about their new collection calendar and residents are being urged to go online to access up-to-date bin calendars.
Printed calendars are no longer delivered door-to-door, which is understood to have prompted concerns elderly or more vulnerable residents may not be fully aware of the changes.
“We encourage residents to look out for their bin tag and go online to get their new calendar, if their bin collection is changing,” Mr Kenyon added.
“Residents can now access their easy-to-use online calendar via their phone, laptop, desktop or other mobile device anytime, anywhere.
“Residents should continue to put their bins out as normal until the changeover date.”
Fife Council collects approximately 250,000 bins every week and The Courier understands changes to central Fife bin collections have been provisionally scheduled for April.
Only bin collection routes will be affected, with no changes to the service offered or Fife’s collection system.
However, small changes are also said to be coming to the contents of residents’ green and grey recycling bins.
Polystyrene, plastic bags, films and plastic wrappers will not be able to go into the green bin but should go into the blue bin, while drinks and food cartons will be recycled in the green bin, not the grey bin.
All of the changes will be outlined in recycling guides being delivered to every household next month.
Up-to-date bin calendars are available via the Fife Direct website at www.fifedirect.org.uk/bincalendar.
