West Dunbartonshire bins to be lifted every three weeks

As part of the bid to plug a £21million financial black hole, West Dunbartonshire Council's (WDC) Infrastructure, Regeneration, and Economic Development [IRED] Committee agreed to switch the waste pickup regularity from every two weeks to every three.

The move to implement a less frequent waste collection timetable comes after plans were initially drawn up as part of March's budget for the 2023/24 financial year.

At the time, the hope was that doing so would not only save the council £350,000 over the next three years but increase recycling levels, reduce residual waste levels and contribute to a reduction in the council’s carbon footprint.

However, critics of the scheme slammed the Labour-led council for failing to consult on the issue and cited similar failed schemes in nearby local authorities as proof the new timetable won't work.

Speaking after the IRED Committee, SNP shadow spokesperson for IRED, Cllr Jonathan McColl - who tabled an amendment to the motion to change -  said: “With no evidence to support this move as a viable option for increasing recycling rates and clear demonstrable proof from neighbouring areas and councils across the UK that three weekly collections cause only pain and misery for residents, it’s utter madness to press ahead with these plans.

“It isn’t even a worthwhile savings option; it’s clear to any thinking person that this will increase littering and fly-tipping meaning the council will have to spend more money on cleaning the place up, catching rats and investigating fly-tipping incidents.

"The SNP in West Dunbartonshire vehemently oppose inflicting this fetid folly on our citizens.

“This is just one in a series of horrific decisions inflicted on the public by this Labour Administration.

Cllr McColl tabled an amendment (Image: Supplied)

There is no date outlined for when the changes will come into force.

West Dunbartonshire Council has approached for comment.