4,400 tonnes of garden and food waste ends up in landfill because it’s put in the wrong bin, according to Moray Council as it prepares to switch to a three-weekly collection of residual waste.
The council say it would save almost £400,000 in landfill tax if this organic waste was put into the organic recycling.
The change to three-weekly residual 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, it says – reducing the landfill tax bill which currently stands at more than £1m 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% 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 [residual waste] bin. If this was put in the brown bin [organic waste], we’d save almost £400,000 in landfill tax.”
“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 [residual waste] bin. If this was put in the brown bin [organic waste], 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 residual waste 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.”
