Glasgow’s new “one green bin policy” has led to verbal attacks against cleansing workers from “irate” residents according to a trade union leader. 

This summer the city council introduced its new rules which means each household is allowed one green bin for non-recyclable waste and residents will be provided with a sticker to attach to their green bin to allow it to be emptied in future.

The local authority says it costs more to dispose of waste than to recycle it and is providing additional recycling bins.

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But convenor Chris Mitchell says his members are facing public backlash from “irate customers” for only emptying one green bin every three weeks. 

Chris Mitchell said: “The one green bin policy started about a month ago.

“We understand what the council are trying to do but it is causing grief for our members as members of the public are challenging them for not emptying more than one green bin.

“There have been three instances of abusive attacks as larger families feel they cannot cope with the one green bin policy which is emptied every three weeks.  “This is being rolled out across the city in stages as the council introduces more recycling bins but it is causing friction everywhere.

“There’s got to be a clear line of communication between the workers and the public on the scheme – what it is happening and what the benefits of it are.”

Glasgow is introducing a new grey bin, which will take around 12 months to complete, to recycle plastics, metals, cartons, soft plastics and film. 

Cleansing workers are being tasked with putting a sticker on one green bin for each property so they know which bins to uplift.

For around four weeks after the new bin is delivered, the council will empty all green bins put out for collection –  even if they don’t have a sticker. 

Any green bins put out for collection without a sticker after this amnesty period will not be emptied.  

A cleansing worker, who does not wish to be named said: “I am one of the workers that is being tasked with putting stickers on the green bins and informing the public of the new ways of work.

“What we are coming up against is, the public are absolutely irate and telling us they have not had any communication about this and have got too much rubbish in their bins.

“We are getting threatened and you just don’t know what is going to happen. In the morning people have a lot on and just see us as a target.

“I don’t think I should be put in this position and the council should have engaged better with the public.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Sadly, verbal attacks on the council’s frontline staff are not unusual – and this is why they receive training in how to deal with such situations.  Staff are working to help people, so these attacks are senseless.

“The single green bin policy will help to manage and recycle waste more effectively as more space for recycling waste is provided.”