Stirling’s bin collection schedule is to undergo a major shake-up from March as the council aims to make savings of £500,000 a year.
Currently, household waste is collected on a seven day per week shift pattern. This will be replaced by a four day, Tuesday-Friday collection schedule for all households, which will significantly reduce the cost of operating the service.
The move is to come into effect from Tuesday, March 4.
Stirling Council says the move brings the area into line with many local authorities across Scotland who already operate a four day per week collection cycle.
Bin collection days will change for most households, but the council insists that residents will see no loss of frequency to the service.
All residents are to receive a letter outlining the changes, along with a paper copy of their new bin collection schedule.
There will be no changes to the operation of the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Lower Polmaise, Balfron or Callander.
Councillor Jen Preston, convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, said: “The existing seven-day collection model has presented logistical and resource challenges in recent years and the new four-day schedule will optimise service delivery, reduce costs and improve reliability for residents.
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“It’s a delivery model that is already common in many other local authorities across Scotland and, of course, the annual savings are also very important. This is more vital than ever as we prepare to tackle another significant budget shortfall in 2025-26.
“We know our waste and recycling services are really important to residents and we encourage everyone to make a note of their new collection schedule to ensure that bins are placed at the kerb in time for collection.
“Change can be challenging and we appreciate the efforts people put into recycling and waste collection. We’d especially like to thank those people in our streets who take the lead in putting out the right bins on the right day, often allowing the rest of us to follow suit.
“We really value our ‘Binfluencers’ and the work they do for their neighbours and local communities, and I know they will help us all get the correct bins out for collection from March 4.”
A ‘postcode finder’ will go live in the build-up to the change which, in addition to the calendars, offers residents the opportunity to access details of their new waste schedules.
Local businesses who rely on Stirling Council’s Waste Services team for their bin collections will also receive a letter outlining the forthcoming changes for their premises and how it impacts them.