Around 10,000 garden waste customers in Inverness and Nairn will have a new brown bin collection day from Monday 19 October as Highland Council introduces redesigned collection routes.

Customers who have purchased a 2026/27 garden waste permit and are affected by the changes will receive a letter or email confirming their new collection day and providing an updated calendar.

Letters and emails are being sent from the week beginning 5 October, giving households time to check whether their usual collection day is changing before the new routes begin.

The changes apply only to the garden waste service, with household non recyclable waste and recycling collections continuing as normal.

Updated garden waste collection calendars will also be available through Highland Council’s website from Friday 16 October.

The council says the routes have been redesigned to create a more balanced and efficient service while reducing vehicle mileage, improving fuel efficiency and lowering carbon emissions.

Councillor Graham Mackenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, said:

“The new garden waste collection routes in Inverness and Nairn form an important part of the Council’s waste strategy, helping us to deliver an efficient and sustainable service to as many households as possible.

“Customers who will get a collection change should look out for a letter or email from the week commencing 5 October.

“New collection calendars will be included with letters and provided via a web link for email recipients.

“From 16 October, customers can also check their new collection day online on the Council’s website.

“From 19 October, the Council’s Waste Aware Team will be supporting collection crews across Inverness and Nairn and will be available to assist residents with the transition.

“We would also encourage people to support elderly neighbours and relatives by helping them ensure their bins are presented on the correct day.”

The fortnightly service accepts grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, twigs and small branches, flowers, plants, weeds and leaves.

A garden waste permit for 2026/27 remains £48.95, while residents who do not use the optional collection service can continue taking garden waste to their local Household Waste Recycling Centre free of charge.

For the households affected, the important thing will be to watch for the council letter or email and check the new calendar before putting the brown bin out after 19 October.

For more information, visit the website or email recycle@highland.gov.uk