Sweeping changes to kerbside collections in Dundee will reduce waste, save money and increase recycling, the council has insisted.
Amidst concerns that the plans are ill thought out, the SNP administration voted through the overhaul by 17 to 11.
The city will now sign up to a new national code of practice and the Charter for Household Recycling in Scotland, standardising its services with other local authorities across the country.
The changes will take effect by summer 2017 and will see the abandonment of a proposed roll-out of kerbside glass collections.
Just one third of the city had been provided with burgundy bins but, amidst the belief the service is little used, the roll-out will stop and existing bins will be removed.
Items such as paper and plastics, cans and tetrapaks will be split between two containers, requiring £1.5 million of investment in new bins.
The city’s 41 recycling points and two recycling centres could also be overhauled, with increased space for glass drop-off a likely priority.
Neighbourhood Services Committee convener John Alexander said: “These are changes that will affect every resident in the city and we need to take everyone with us.
“These proposals will allow us to move forward and I believe they will help us to increase recycling, reduce waste and help the environment.
“They will result in a reduction in costs, compared to the previous model we were taking forward.
“Signing up to the national guidelines will also give us the opportunity to gain Zero Waste Scotland funding.
“We are aware there are particular challenges but there are also opportunities.
“We will work to ensure this roll-out is a success.”
Labour councillor Richard McCready, who put forward a motion call for delay and more detail on the implications of removing glass collection, said he shared the administration’s ambitions but questioned its methods.
He said: “Fundamentally we all want Dundee to be at the forefront of recycling.
“In past years we have been ahead of the game and I think we should continue to want to be at the forefront.
“While there is a lot that is good in these proposals, however, I am concerned that we are revisiting this subject so soon after we last made changes, just two years ago.
“I am also concerned that we are sending the wrong message – one that says we are not as bothered about glass recycling.
“I know what is said about the service being underused but it seems that the issue is about money and if this is just about cost implications then we should be looking for funding to deliver services.”
Labour colleagues raised concerns about the environmental impact of the proposals, whether from the dumping of glass in general waste or increased car journeys to carry glass to recycling points.
