Cash-strapped Angus Council is missing out on more than a million pounds a year because of recyclable rubbish going in the wrong bin.
The authority is suffering a “double whammy” due to five-figure penalties for contaminated loads of recyclable rubbish.
Angus has consistently been a leading recycler since major kerbside collection changes were introduced in 2014 and waste chiefs have now launched a high profile campaign to encourage lazy locals back into eco-friendly ways.
The last significant change to the Angus kerbside system was a reduction in the size of the general waste bin in an effort to encourage residents to put more into either their grey recycling bin or food waste container.
However, recent research has revealed as much as 50% of the contents of the county’s purple general waste containers could be recycled and stickers are being slapped on bins across the district to reinforce the Right Stuff Right Bin message.
Angus Council communities vice-convener Lois Speed said: “People in Angus have done a terrific job of recycling household waste in their grey bins since we introduced the scheme in 2014.
“There is no doubt that when it comes to recycling on your doorstep, Angus residents are among the best in Scotland.
“But we can do more and it makes sense to do so because the wrong stuff in the wrong bin can be expensive,” said the Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor.
The authority has found almost 20% of what went into purple general waste bins could have been recycled in grey bins, while 30% could have gone into the food waste caddy.
A council spokesperson added: “It’s important to point out that market prices for recyclables can and do fluctuate, but we estimate the cost of recycling material “being lost” to the purple general waste bin can exceed £1 million a year.
“That’s money that could otherwise be directed to protecting other important services.
“There is also the cost of contamination of the grey mixed recycling which cost approximately £30,000 in 2017 in terms of contractual penalties.
“It’s a problem that is not going away and we want to help the people of Angus to get the Right Stuff in the Right Bin.”
Ms Speed added: “We have been stickering household bins recently with the Right Stuff Right Bin message, providing a little extra guidance about what goes where when it comes to recycling at home.
“We also sent out flyers to all households in Angus with the same important advice.
“It is important that we all work together to try and increase recycling rates at the doorstep and cut down on the amount of wrong items going in household bins, which costs Angus hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.”
