ARGYLL and Bute Council will begin two-weekly bin collections next week.

The local authority will introduce the measures from Monday, April 6 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with recycling and general waste being collected at the same time.

The council says the consequence of this "simplified" system will be that recyclable materials will, for the time being, go into the general waste stream, allowing the authority to "organise a schedule that will protect our staff and meet guidance on social distancing".

A number of other local authorities across Scotland are adopting similar approaches.

READ MORE: Council stops household recycling uplifts across Helensburgh and Lomond

Robin Currie, policy lead for housing, roads and infrastructure services, said: “We’ve listened to public concerns and the whole council is working tirelessly to help protect our communities from the threat of coronavirus.

“Our frontline workers are going to extraordinary lengths to deliver services by changing the way we work to make best use of the resources we have.

“This model is deliverable, although this may in time need staff to be utilised from wider teams, such as roads and grounds staff. This means we will only be making emergency road repairs in very serious situations.

“Please be assured, Argyll and Bute Council takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and you can help. If you have the option to store recycling until we can resume this service, we would be grateful."

READ MORE: NHS opens Covid-19 assessment centre in Helensburgh

Tips for storing recyclable materials include the following:

  • Make sure you wash out plastic bottles (especially milk bottles) and trays thoroughly
  • Squash plastic bottles and then put the lid back on
  • Stack trays the same size inside each other to save space
  • Flatten cardboard boxes and paper
  • If you can, crush your cans
  • Rinse and flatten Tetrapaks (juice cartons etc)
  • Once your bin is full, start storing the recycling in plastic bags, or inside large cardboard boxes, in a dry place.

For more information visit: argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/bins

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