Residents of Skye and Lochalsh will see significant changes to their waste and recycling collections this February as The Highland Council rolls out its latest improvements.
Letters explaining the changes will be delivered to households over the coming weeks, detailing what is happening and when.
Under the new system, green or grey bins will be used for recycling mixed plastic containers, metals, and food and drink cartons, while blue bins will be designated for paper, card, and cardboard recycling.
Both recycling bins will be collected every four weeks, with specific details on when the changes will take effect included in the letters.
Additionally, all households will receive a new 180-litre grey bin for non-recyclable waste, which will continue to be collected fortnightly.
A booklet explaining what to put in each bin will accompany the delivery, along with a collection calendar marking the start date of the new service and bin collection days.
Businesses in Skye and Lochalsh will also benefit from the changes, with Highland Council Business Waste Customers being contacted about the introduction of twin-stream recycling for their operations.
New bins for businesses will start being delivered at the beginning of February.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, welcomed the upcoming changes as part of the Council’s drive to improve recycling services across the region.
“I’m pleased to see Phase 7 of the new waste and recycling collections arriving in Skye and Lochalsh this February,” he said.
“Residents should keep an eye out for their letters and make a note of the key dates when the changes will be implemented.”
He highlighted the Council’s commitment to reducing non-recyclable waste and increasing recycling rates, saying these changes will make it easier for the public to reduce their environmental impact.
So far, around 100,000 new bins have been delivered to households across Ross-shire, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Sutherland, and Caithness as part of the phased roll-out.
Councillor MacKenzie praised the efforts of the Waste Services Team in ensuring the smooth implementation of this significant programme of change.
The new system, known as twin-stream recycling, separates recyclable materials into two bins, improving both the quality and quantity of recycling.
He added that the initiative will also reduce waste disposal costs, helping to safeguard other essential council services.
The Highland Council secured £6.55 million in funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund to support the changes, which include new bins, an expansion of food waste collections to 30,000 additional households, and upgrades to waste transfer stations in Portree and Caithness.
Further investment has been approved for a new waste transfer station in Fort William, alongside a communications and engagement programme to help residents adjust to the changes.
The roll-out will be completed by this summer, with Lochaber being the final area to receive the new service.
Residents can find more detailed information about the programme and delivery schedules on the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/binchanges
Community Engagement Sessions will also be held in leisure centres and supermarkets, where the Waste Awareness Team will be available to answer questions.
For tips on reducing waste and recycling effectively, visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle