Rubbish revolution - new bins and recycling regime in Milngavie and Bearsden

New bins will be delivered in the coming months and the new system will ‘go live’ on Monday, May 6.

Residents will now have four bins and a food waste ‘caddy’ – a bucket with a hinged lid that locks so it is vermin proof.

There will also be a five-litre food bin designed to be kept in the kitchen and emptied into the bigger caddy.

The current unpopular recycling boxes are being replaced with bins. There will still be the usual buckets for general waste and garden waste.

The move is geared towards meeting the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Scotland Regulations and will also save East Dunbartonshire Council cash.

It will cost £1.744m to bring in the new refuse collections, but once in place it will save the council £475,000 each year.

It was initially feared that 11 posts might be axed, but there are currently five vacancies in the refuse collections service. It is hoped the other staff affected will transfer to neighbourhood services.

Councillor Alan Moir, convener of the development and infrastructure committee, said: “In February residents will receive a letter explaining what the changes are and why we are making them. The letter will contain a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ which we hope will cover some of people’s queries.

“Then, from February through until the summer, a series of roadshows will be held at venues across the area, giving local people the chance to talk to council officers about the new scheme and see samples of the new bins and caddies.

“Finally, when kitchen caddies are delivered just ahead of the start of the new arrangements there will be a calendar inside which will help residents keep track of what bin will be emptied each week.”

The new arrangements are designed to increase the amount of waste recycled, to help the council achieve its 60 per cent target by 2015.

This will, in turn, cut the amount of waste sent to landfill, reducing charges to the council. In addition, collecting food waste is a legal requirement from 2013.

Councillor Moir added: “We are serious about improving our green credentials and, with the continued support and participation of the people of East Dunbartonshire, I hope we can achieve that.”

A bid for funding has been made to Zero Waste Scotland. The council will provide liners for kitchen caddys for residents for up to two years subject to funding being secured.

* The two recycling boxes currently used by households will be replaced by two slim-line 140-litre wheelie bins.

* A five-litre kitchen caddy is also being issued and a 25-litre kerbside caddy.

* Tenders have been awarded for the delivery of 154,000 receptacles between April 2-30.

* Have you got a story, picture or comment? [email protected] or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.