Cutbacks in household bin collections should not create a public health risk ‘as long as common sense standards are followed’, councillors will hear next week.
Argyll and Bute Council decided in February that, as part of its £10m budget cuts, green wheelie bins containing general waste would only be collected every three weeks rather than fortnightly as present.
The council still has not said when the cuts will come into effect, but new documents argue that they will help to encourage recycling.
A two-shift pattern will be introduced, meaning bins could be collected as early as 6am or as late as 10pm.
The blue and grey bins for recycling and glass will still be collected fortnightly, while the separate food waste collection in the Helensburgh area will continue.
A report to be considered by a meeting of the full council next week says that advice has been sought from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA): “They advised us and other councils that there should not be any increased risk to public health as long as the existing common sense standards are followed: wrapping waste and keeping the lid of your bin firmly closed.”
Anyone who already has two green bins may find they can only use one of them unless there are more than five people in the household, or someone living here has a medical condition which means more waste is produced.
A new procedure for household bin collection has been drawn up and can be downloaded here: a47tqg-Refuse Collection Service Procedure June 2016
wouldnt it be nice if our elected councillors asked us, the people, what WE wanted before they make these desicions! But Hey, why bother about democracy?