Growing anger over bin collection changes in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council is set to rollout its new refuse service in the likes of Springburn and Shettleston from next month, which will now see general waste collected every three weeks and glass every eight weeks. 

The local authority believes the changes will drive up recycling levels in the city, with official figures showing Glasgow trails its rivals across Scotland in how little it reuses. 

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However, councillors have claimed the new timetable is little more than a "cost cutting exercise" amid union fears it will lead to job losses. 

Councillor Martin McElroy, who represents Springburn/Robroyston, said: " I share the anger of my constituents and those across Glasgow who are getting yet another cut in service, this time in bin collections. 

Councillor Martin McElroy

"Don’t believe the spin about this having anything to do with recycling rates, it is all about cuts, cuts and more SNP cuts." 

It's understood leaflets were sent out to those affected this week, with the changes set to impact main door homes only, as opposed to tenements or flats. 

Shettleston councillor Thomas Kerr said: “Let me be clear, the move from a fortnightly to a three-weekly bin collection for Glasgow residents is opposed by Scottish Conservative Councillors. 

"This is being forced on Glaswegians by the SNP and Greens who don’t realise the real impact this will have on day to day life for many. 

"It is surprising that Glasgow City Council is able to find the time and resources to reduce bin collections but can’t get some kind of bulk uplift service back up and running. 

"It is very much a case of where there is a will there is a way." 

Official research has shown that, on average, two-thirds of waste in general bins could be recycled, with Glasgow only reusing around 30% of its rubbish each year. 

Councillor Thomas Kerr

Glasgow also sends the most household waste to landfill in Scotland at 167,502 tonnes – 68.3% of all the household waste generated in the city.

However, union leaders have claimed the changes are a "job-slashing exercise". 

A GMB Scotland spokesman added: "[This] will place further burden on a workforce already stretched beyond their limits, while compromising their safety and well-being at work with Covid-19 on the rise. 

“We asked the council for co-operation, safety and investment but at every turn their service managers are doing their utmost to undermine this.” 

The service changes will in time be rolled out to the South Side and West End of the city. 

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said the evidence showed Glasgow was "not using its bins as it could be".

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She added: "Far too much waste that could easily be recycled is going to landfill or is being reprocessed at far too high a cost to the taxpayer. 

“An aluminium can or plastic drinks bottle is the wrong bin ultimately means money lost for the tax payer. 

"Dumping food waste, paper, cardboard or glass in the general bin is like chucking money away as it is much more expensive to process general waste.

Councillor Anna Richardson

“By rebalancing the collection arrangements for kerbside collections we are aiming to ensure we deal efficiently with the waste generated by city households. Separating out our waste and putting it in the right bin can have significant financial and environmental benefits. 

"Recycling properly ultimately makes the most of scarce resources, saves energy and will contribute to carbon reduction when we are fighting climate change. 

"The new arrangements put Glasgow in step with the national benchmark of the Household Recycling Charter and will help to make the city as sustainable as possible.”