Glasgow City Council set to roll out new bins next month to make recycling easier

From the end of March, residents in some properties which have individual bins will be provided with an additional grey bin to dispose of plastics, metals, cartons and film, while allowing additional materials including yoghurt pots and carrier bags to be recycled. 

The current blue bin will then be used to recycle only paper, card and cardboard.

The new service will begin in Knightswood before being introduced to other communities in the north of the city including Blairdardie, Drumchapel, Temple / Anniesland, Anniesland / Jordanhill / Whiteinch, Yoker / Scotstoun, Kelvindale / Kelvinside, North Maryhill / Summerston, Lambhill / Milton and Ruchill / Possilpark before being rolled out to the south of Glasgow later in the year. 

It is expected that all of Glasgow’s ‘kerbside properties’ – those homes which have their bins collected from the front of the properties –  will have their new grey bins by March 2025.

Before the new bins are delivered, residents will receive an information guide about what the new kerbside recycling service involves, along with a collection calendar for dates when waste and recycling bins will be emptied.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, City Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “Introducing a new bin for metal and plastic containers for kerbside collections is a big part of our plans to improve recycling in Glasgow.  

“The new bin will make it easier and more convenient for households to recycle a much wider range of materials at home and improve the quality of the materials we collect.

 “We have seen with our pilot of on-street bin hubs for flats that the twin bin approach to recycling dry goods can increase how much material ends up being recycled.  With work also underway on a new hi-tech materials recycling facility at Easter Queenslie, we are determined to drive up recycling rates in Glasgow. 

“Recycling more is obviously good for the environment, but it’s also good for the taxpayer as it cuts the cost of disposing of the rubbish we generate.”

These changes bring Glasgow’s recycling services to properties with individual bins in line with Scottish Government guidance and align with changes introduced by other councils.

It comes after a £21m investment from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund (RIF) and a further £20m from Glasgow City Council to support modernisation of collections and to construct a new recycling facility.

With the biggest population, Glasgow manages a larger share of the nation’s household waste than any other council. The new service is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 6100 tonnes, equivalent to taking 3245 cars off the road for a year. 

Along with the new kerbside recycling service, Glasgow City Council is also piloting new recycling services for flats and tenements in Pollokshields, Haghill and part of the Anderston area.

Zero Waste Scotland Chief Executive Iain Gulland said:  “We’re excited Glasgow is enhancing its recycling services and improving the quality of materials collected, which is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the city.  

“The support from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund coupled with Glasgow City Council’s investment in a new materials recovery facility further underscores the city’s dedication to improving recycling.  

“These changes will lead to substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and help take Scotland further on its journey to becoming a circular economy.”