Dundee City Council has banned Fifers from using its recycling centres in a move to save cash.
The decision has been criticised south of the Tay, where one Fife councillor said making people travel further to dispose of bulky items could lead to an increase in fly-tipping.
On Monday, the Dundee authority put an end to Fife residents being issued permits to drive domestic vans and trailers into its Baldovie and Riverside recycling centres.
Those arriving by car are not be subject to checks meaning Fifers could technically still use the facilities.
However, the council urged those living outside Dundee to “please use the facilities provided by your local authority.”
Fife Lib Dem councillor Jonny Tepp, who represents the Tay Bridgehead area, said: “We already see fly-tipping around our beautiful countryside and that’s likely to get worse.
“This is not good news for the people of Newport, Wormit or Tay Bridgehead.”
Until the ban was introduced, there was an informal agreement between Dundee City Council and Fife Council which allowed Tay Bridgehead residents to use Dundee’s two recycling centres.
Now, as an example, Newport residents with bulky and garden waste face an 11-mile trip to either Cupar or St Andrews to use the facilities there, instead of a quick trip to the Riverside Recycling Centre in Dundee, which is half the distance away.
Stephen Rottger, secretary of Newport, Wormit and Forgan Community Council, said: “It’s disappointing to be frank.
“These facilities have been in place for quite a long time and, with the nearest facility from Newport and Tayport now in Cupar, it means a lot of people with bulky waste and garden waste are going to be travelling further than they would have otherwise.
“The road to Cupar through Balmullo is not particularly fast and is quite congested. It’s going to be an inconvenience.”
He added: “If small scale domestic users can’t use these facilities that’s disappointing and it puts more traffic on the roads.”
Dundee City Council said the cost of processing waste had been a factor in the decision.
A spokesperson said: “The city council provides recycling centres in Dundee for the use of city residents.
“Permits are required for the use of domestic vans and trailers to dispose of waste and recycling at the Baldovie and Riverside recycling centres. It has been decided that these annual permits will only be available for Dundee residents for renewal this year.
“There are significant costs connected with the disposal of waste and recycling from these sites which are the responsibility of Dundee City Council, no matter where the waste materials come from.”
Fife Council has advised local residents affected by the change to use recycling centres in Largo Road, St Andrews, and Coal Road, Cupar, or arrange for bulky items to be uplifted for a £15 fee.
The Fife authority also reminded residents that local recycling points were available in towns and villages for items such as food packaging, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard, and textiles.
