Following the change in rules regarding the storage of general waste and recycling bins in 2015, the City of Edinburgh Council is now expanding their Edinburgh commercial waste collections legislation to cover the storage of food and glass waste bins on public property (ie. outside a shop or restaurant) – as of 30 September 2019.
While we believe this decision will have a positive environmental effect on the local area, making Edinburgh a safe and attractive place to work and visit, we are aware that the changes will create challenges for businesses who have limited space in which to store waste, and affected businesses will face fines if they do not comply with the new regulations.
Businesses in the following postcodes will be affected: EH1-EH17, EH28, EH29, EH30.
What do you do if you’re affected by the changes to Edinburgh ‘s commercial waste collections policy?
If you keep your bin on private land (such as a carpark or private yard) and it is emptied from there normally, you don’t need to do anything.
However, if you normally put your bin out on collection day and don’t have private land on which to store your bins, you will need to make some changes.
Bins will be allowed to be put on the street for a 1-hour window to be emptied, after which you must return your bin to private land immediately.
You will need to request a timeslot in which your bin will be collected. Examples of timeslots provided by the council are as follows:
9.30 am-12noon
2pm-4pm
6.30pm -11pm
A 1-hour window within this timeslot will be allocated for the collection of your bin.
Important!
- Bins cannot be left out overnight and can only be put out at the beginning of the time slot.
- Your business must be open when the waste is collected to ensure the bins are brought back in after collection.
- The fine for leaving the bin out can be up to £1,000.
Please contact us as soon as possible to let us know that you will need a timeslot, and which timeslot will be best for you. Please note we cannot guarantee your preference.
Don’t worry if neither of the above options is viable, please contact us ASAP and we will create a bespoke collection package so that you will be compliant when the changes come into effect. It may be that you need to reduce the container size down change to a bag service.
Please contact our customer service team on 03301 242 535 or customerservice@cheaperwaste.co.uk if your business will be affected.
