Council to start food bin collections in Inverness

FOOD bin collections to 30,000 houses in Inverness and its suburbs are to start soon.

The new Highland Council service will be piloted throughout the city, as well as Culloden, Smithton, Balloch and Milton of Leys.

The collections, which are due to start in September, will include fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy products, fish and meat (including bones), bread, rice and pasta, tea bags and coffee grinds.

Residents will be provided with a 23 litre kerbside bin, a 5 litre kitchen caddy and a supply of compostable liners.

The service is being implemented as part of the Scottish government’s requirement on local authorities to stop food waste going to landfill and is being funded by a grant from Zero Waste Scotland.

Inverness City Leader, Councillor Ian Brown said: “The new service is an important next step in The Highland Council’s waste reduction strategy.

“The additional bin is very unobtrusive and small - less than a tenth the size of a standard wheelie bin. I believe the new service will be well received by Inverness residents.”

Iain Gulland, director at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Scottish householders dispose of over half a million tonnes of food and drinks waste each year.

“When sent to landfill, food waste decomposes, releasing greenhouse gases which are harmful to the environment.

“However, when recycled the same waste can be transformed into a valuable resource, producing a nutrient-rich fertiliser.

“Householders can also save money by taking action to reduce the amount they throw away in the first place, through our Love Food Hate Waste initiative.”

In August an introductory leaflet outlining the new service will be delivered to all households to receive the new service.

Bins, caddies and an information booklet will be delivered to households two weeks before their service commences.

Where possible collection days for the food waste will be the same as the present alternate weekly refuse and recycling collection, although this will not be possible everywhere.

During August and September the Waste Awareness Team will be holding a number of roadshows around the city to promote the new service and answer any queries.