Highland garden waste collection service success
The Highland Council is reminding its garden waste collection service permit holders that the service is well under way now, after being suspended due to COVID-19's impact on staff resources.
Carron McDiarmid, executive chief officer for communities and place said: “Feedback from our crews from the first week of collections is that the quality of the material collected from the brown bins was excellent.
"There was very little contamination, which is really positive, and I would like to thank the public for making a concerted effort to ensure that only the correct material was put into their bins.
"In addition, the amount of garden waste collected in the first week was extremely high with the crews reporting that the majority of permit holders on the routes presented their bins for collection.”
To compensate customers for the 3-4 missed brown bin collections, the current permits have been extended for nine weeks beyond their expiry of the end of June and are now valid until the end of August.
The brown bins must be presented with a valid permit and the bin lids fully closed – no extra side waste will be collected.
Crews are adopting safe distancing procedures due to the continuing threat of COVID-19.
"This may mean collections take longer to complete than usual, so please put your bin out for 7.00am on your scheduled collection day.
"Collections may also be suspended at short notice if there are further circumstances outwith our control and customers are advised to regularly check the council’s website for updates."
As a reminder, the garden waste collection service is for the recycling of the following: grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, twigs and small branches, flowers, plants and weeds.
Customers are asked to check the contents of their bin to ensure it contains no contamination.
To help reduce the spread of Coronavirus the public should regularly clean their bin handles and lids as well as washing their hands before and after touching their bins.
"At present it is not possible to purchase a Garden Waste Collection Service permit," said the CEO. "We are working hard to get the permits back on sale and householders will be informed as soon possible when they are available for purchase."
Check with https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/54/bin_calendars (external link)
Details of the service can be found at www.highland.gov.uk/gardenwaste (external link)