Edinburgh may see timed trade waste collections

Businesses in Edinburgh city centre could see timed commercial waste collections start in the New Year, if the council accepts proposals that aim to decrease the amount of trade waste stored on city centre streets.

A report submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee, which meets on Tuesday (29 October), will recommend the use of ‘timed collection periods’ for commercial waste.

If approved, traders based along Leith Walk, the High Street and Rose Street, as well as adjoining lanes, will be given set times during which their refuse can be presented on the street for collection.  Outside of these slots, rubbish bags and containers will have to be stored within business premises.

It is hoped the scheme will reduce the amount of trade waste stored on the city’s streets, which the council says has an ‘adverse impact’ on the city’s appearance. The proposal has received support from UNESCO World Heritage and Historic Scotland.

The pilot system is one of three options that were previously considered by the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee a year ago. One option, to introduce zero tolerance of trade waste on the street, has been dismissed as waste collection firms are unable to collect from every business. Ideas for a permit system have also been shelved.

If the proposals for timed collections are accepted, a ‘compliance team’ could be set up to provide ‘information and enforcement to businesses’.

Making Edinburgh a ‘clean and beautiful city’

The new trade waste collection system will be trialled in the city for a period of nine months from January 2014. The pilot scheme will coincide with the Clean Up Edinburgh campaign that launches next week and hopes to change behaviour and attitudes towards litter.

Commenting on the trade waste scheme, Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener, said: "There has been an increasing number of trade waste containers being kept on the city’s streets which is having an adverse impact on the city’s appearance. There are also problems with litter escaping from trade waste bins that are overfull because they are not being serviced frequently enough or because businesses are leaving sacks of waste on the street overnight which makes them vulnerable to being ripped open by gulls and other animals.

“It is in the interests of businesses that Edinburgh remains a clean and beautiful city and they need to play their part. We will be working with and supporting businesses in the pilot areas to comply with the timed collections and the pilots will allow everyone to assess how effective this approach is.”

A report on the outcome of the pilots will be reported back to committee towards the end of 2014.

Read about recycling changes in Edinburgh city centre.