New bin collection calendars available to download

BIN COLLECTION calendars detailing three-weekly green bin collection dates are now available for residents in Moray to download.

Every household in the area will receive one hard copy of their calendar in advance of the collection changes in June.

The change to three-weekly green bin collections was unanimously agreed by councillors in February and, as well as saving the council £100,000 per year in operating costs, will incentivise residents to recycle more – reducing the landfill tax bill which currently stands at more than one million pounds annually.

Stephen Cooper, Moray Council’s Head of Direct Services, said simple switches could save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds per year in landfill tax.

“Right now more than 50 per cent of the contents of green bins in Moray is recyclable, but instead ends up in landfill.

“We estimate that each year at least 4,400 tonnes of garden and food waste ends up in landfill because it’s put in the green bin. If this was put in the brown bin, we’d save almost £400,000 in landfill tax.

“Also, if we recycle all of our glass, cans and plastic (PET1 & HDPE2), paper, cardboard and food waste, almost one third of each green bin would still be empty - even after three weeks.”

The change will be phased in during June and, by the end of the month, all households will have a fortnightly recycling collection and three-weekly green bin collection.

Moray Council has ensured that recommended minimum and maximum waste and recycling volumes per household, as set out in the Scottish Government-backed household recycling charter, will continue to be met.

Residents are urged to pay attention to their calendar for collections, particularly during June.

“We’re asking a small number of households to put their bins out more regularly in June while we implement the new schedule. This is a very short-term measure while the changeover takes place, and all households affected will have these dates detailed on their calendar.

“It’s important that all residents follow the collections as set out in these calendars as we won’t return for missed bins unless there has been a service fault or failure.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.