RESIDENTS have voiced concerns over the recently introduced bin collection schedule, which will see rubbish bins move to a four-week plan.

In a move approved by the council in May, a new grey bin has been introduced for households to dispose of cardboard and dry paper only, with other recyclables to be put in the blue bin.

Alongside the introduction of a new bin, changes to the bin collection schedule have caused some controversy.

Blue and green bins will now be uplifted every four weeks, with the food caddy uplift remaining weekly. 

Several residents aren’t optimistic about these changes, with some describing them as “poorly planned”.

One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Advertiser that her garden is now littered with waste bins, explaining she feels this will be actually detrimental to recycling.

“It’s just a garden full of bins,” she said. “With the blue bin being uplifted two weeks late, everything that is recyclable I’ve had to keep in a black bag in my kitchen. 

“I’ve had to put this in the green bin as it was sitting in my kitchen for a week, and now my green bin is full I’ve had to take a black bag full of rubbish into my work to bin. 

“Two weeks ago, when the blue bin was meant to be lifted, they changed it to the grey bin which didn’t even get emptied.”

Fears have also been raised for the attraction of flies and vermin, with the bins collating rubbish for four weeks before being emptied.

Another resident said: “It already has flies swarming it, sitting in the summer heat for four weeks will make it even worse, it will stink.” 

Clackmannanshire Council made the changes in May after receiving a grant from Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycling Improvement Fund.

The council told the Advertiser that measures were in place so that nobody had to store rubbish in their house while waiting on a collection.

A spokesperson for the council said: “As long as all waste is contained in the green bin and lids are kept closed there should be no issues in the summer months with the changed collections. 

“Larger families, those with children in nappies and those with medical needs that generate an excess of waste all have the opportunity to apply for additional green bin capacity which should ensure that waste from all households is able to be contained within the green bin. 

“There has been an increase in sharing with the introduction of the grey bin, this is purely to reduce the number of bins in place at some locations.”

The Council has also advised that more information and help is available on their website.

Alternatively, residents can call 01259 450 000 for help or email the waste team at customerservice@clacks.gov.uk.