Blue recycling bin collections restarting next week
BLUE bin uplifts will restart on Monday and Inverclyde Council has launched an online postcode checker for residents to find out their collection days.
The fortnightly service was temporarily suspended because of issues experienced by the local authority’s contractor due to the coronavirus pandemic, but an agreement has been reached for another company to take over the reins temporarily and allow the service to resume.
Blue bins will now be emptied once every two weeks as normal, starting on Monday 15 June for some residents and 22 June for others depending on the collection calendar.
It means black/grey residual waste bins will also revert back to a fortnightly uplift having been increased to a weekly collection to make up for the temporary disruption to recycling and other household waste services.
To help residents make sure they know which bins go out on which days, the council has launched an online postcode checker at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/recycling for people to find out their collections days.
For those without internet access, they can call 01475 715901 for more information.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s Convener of Environment & Regeneration, said: “Disruption to local authority services, including waste and recycling, due to the Covid-19 pandemic is not unique to Inverclyde.
“The situation with the blue bins is complex but I’m pleased that staff have managed to find a solution to allow collections to restart from Monday.
“While many bins will already be full with items, we’re asking people to please familiarise themselves with what can and cannot go in them and clean items, such as tins, before they are discarded.
“Excess waste left at the side of bins will not be collected but Pottery Street recycling centre is now back operating as normal for a variety of materials and Kirn Drive depot reopens on Monday initially for household and garden waste, wood and cardboard.
“The last few months have been extremely challenging for everyone and there are still many hurdles to overcome but the support of residents for our dedicated council staff is greatly appreciated.”
Items such as paper, cardboard, tins and plastics can be recycled and must be washed before being placed in blue bins.
Things like crisp packets, plastic bags, polystyrene and cellophane cannot be reused and should be disposed of with other general household waste.
People are also being urged not to put textiles such as clothes, duvets, pillows, shoes or glass in their blue bins.
Any excess waste left at the side of bins will not be lifted.
For more information about waste and recycling services and to access the collection calendar postcode checker, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/recycling or call 01475 715901.