Weekly bin collections in Dundee could be thrown on the scrapheap sooner than expected, The Courier can reveal.
The controversial changes, which will result in waste collections being made fortnightly, could be rolled out “early next year” in the West End and Broughty Ferry.
The new scheme, which will be introduced in phases across the city, is part of a bid by the city council to improve recycling.
New weekly food waste collections will be introduced as part of the changes and there will also be new ways of collecting paper, glass and plastics.
Similar schemes are already in place in Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife.
Environment convener Craig Melville said: “We have put the proposals out among local community planning partnerships and community councils.
“We are looking at the moment to roll out (the changes) in the West End and the Ferry early next year.”
Mr Melville added that the council will listen carefully to the feedback they get from the consultation on the new waste collection scheme, which was previously reported as being due to be rolled out in spring 2015.
Dundee’s recycling rate is currently at 32% and it is hoped the changes will help raise that level to 60% in around five years.
One city resident who was previously against the proposals said that having heard more about the scheme she was now less concerned than previously.
Stella Carrington, of Charleston Tenants and Residents’ Association, said: “Having heard exactly what is proposed, I am happier than I was to now wait and see what happens once the scheme begins.
“It will be interesting to hear from people in the pilot areas what they think.”
Some local authorities, including Highland and East Ayrshire, are considering cutting the frequency of their waste collections to only once a month.