Temporary changes to Perth and Kinross Council bin collections

Jan 8 2010 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

RUBBISH collections were effectively put on hold in parts of Perthshire yesterday until the big freeze is over.

Announcing a series of emergency changes to its kerbside waste and recycling services, Perth and Kinross Council claimed its refuse vehicles have been unable to gain safe access to many of the county’s minor roads, side streets and cul-de-sacs.

With the adverse weather showing no sign of letting up, the move is being seen by local authority bosses as a way of fending off a barrage of complaints from disgruntled residents about growing piles of uncollected refuse.

Yesterday, a council spokesman admitted that many non-priority routes have been gritted on fewer occasions during the chill than bosses would have liked, stymieing the efforts of refuse staff.

With extreme sub-zero temperatures and snowfall expected for another fortnight, collections of brown-lidded garden and food bins and blue-lidded paper and recycling bins have been suspended until January 22.

“The change in collection arrangements will enable the council to direct staff and vehicles to collect general waste, and to help those customers who receive an assisted lift service,” said the spokesman.

“This will allow the council to clear up the backlog of uncollected waste.”

Meanwhile, green-lidded general waste bins will be collected on the next scheduled collection dates for both green and blue bins, but only if ground conditions are safe for workers.

Householders who live in areas where refuse vehicles have been unable to gain access are being asked to take bins to the nearest road clear of snow and ice.

For those unable to do this, their only other options will be to either take their waste to the nearest recycling centre or hold on to it until conditions improve.

However, on a more positive note, the council says that bagged waste placed beside green-lidded bins will be collected in the interim.

“The council would like to apologise to residents for any inconvenience that has been caused by disruptions to their kerbside waste and recycling services,” the spokesman added.

“We ask for their patience and support in what are unique and difficult circumstances.”

Environment committee convener Alan Grant yesterday attempted to reassure residents that strenuous efforts are being made to deal with the rubbish pile-up.

“We will be keeping the weather situation under review and I hope we can return to our normal service as soon as possible,” he declared.

Anyone seeking clarification on the collection issue is being asked to call 01738 476476 or look up www.pkc.gov.uk/recycle