Recycling changes proposed for East Ren flats

The changes will affect those households not on the managed weekly collections system, which the council implemented across most residential properties in November 2010.

Flats and communal properties - approximately 3.8 per cent of the area - are not currently covered by the MWC service. They receive a fortnightly uplift instead and do not have the same recycling facilities provided to individual houses.

But to comply with Waste Scotland Regulations 2012, the council must provide a full dry recycling collection service to all properties - except rural - by January 2014, and food waste collection must be offered by January 2016.

Businesses are also affected, and will have to separate dry recyclables by January 2014 and amounts over 50kg of food waste by the same date.

The next phase will see MWC expansion to those flats and communal properties - 7,000 across East Ren - and a working group has been established to identify possible solutions to the problem of communal recycling.

Councillor Vincent Waters, ERC environment convener, said: “The proposed service changes will have a beneficial impact on the council’s sustainability agenda, with less waste being sent to landfill.

“I am sure that if all the proposed changes are implemented, the council will enhance its prospects of achieving the national recycling target of 70 per cent by 2025.”

Changes for residents living in flats will include a weekly collection of garden and food waste, the installation of communal blue wheeled bins for paper, glass and cans and plastics, and a residual refuse collection every two weeks, instead of weekly.

The council has commenced a consultation with affected residents and businesses, promising that “wherever possible, the best mutual solutions are met”.

Are you living in a flat or communal property? How would you like to see recycling targets handled in your area? Share your thoughts by emailing Gillian (link above).