A BOMBSHELL survey has revealed thousands of people across the city are against the implementation of the three-weekly bin collection.

GMB union’s branch 40 called on Glaswegians to share their thoughts to the controversial move to reduce main door properties kerbside wheelie bin collections from every fortnight to every three weeks.

As previously reported, the rollout – which began in the north east of the city in October and is due to begin in the north west later this month – has been met with fierce criticism.

GMB

GMB

More than 4000 people responded to the survey with a staggering 97% saying they were against the change.

Chris Mitchell, the branch convenor, said: “GMB branch 40 will ask the council to put a temporary stop to the roll out of three-weekly bin collection. They must now listen to the public.

“This is only one survey. There are three petitions with more than 8,000 signatures in the north west of the city. Please get back round the table with me and we can look at other solutions moving forward.”

A further 97% said they believed the decision should have been opened to public consultation.

Meanwhile, another GMB survey carried out late last year, revealed 99% wanted more investment in refuse collection and street cleaning. Multiple petitions were launched last week in response to the rollout – which is aimed at encouraging an increase in recycling rates – with thousands calling for the bid to be halted.

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A council spokesman said: “The decision to move to three-weekly kerbside collections for general waste follows directly from joining the national Household Recycling Charter in February 2019, which received cross-party support from councillors.

“The charter is clear that the maximum amount of bin capacity for general waste for houses should be 80 litres per week and that fits exactly with the 240-litre bins available to households that will receive a three-weekly collection for general waste.

“The purpose of the changes to kerbside collections is to improve on Glasgow’s low rate of recycling and early indications are that residents are responding positively to the greater emphasis on recycling as has happened in other local authority areas.

“Additional recycling bins are available on request for households who may require extra recycling capacity.

“A recent public consultation provided strong backing for our new Resources and Recycling strategy, which puts the need for improvements in recycling at the centre of the fight against climate change. The challenge is always how to deliver effective services with existing resources and we always aim to have a constructive relationship with the trade unions while doing so.

“We meet regularly with the trade unions and welcome any proposals in keeping with the Household Recycling Charter on how to improve recycling rates in the city.”