Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 12:16pm

Fornightly rubbish collections for Borders

HOUSEHOLDS in the Borders are to have their bin collections reduced to once a fortnight.

The move comes as part of the councils budget draft proposals, and is aimed at slashing costs to the tune of £560,000 whilst also improving recycling rates.

A further £130,000 of savings are to be made by the introduction of double-bodied vehicles in rural areas which will collect both recycling and household waste on a weekly basis.

The council also hopes to save £45,000 by changing to wheelie bins rather than bags.

By the end of March, every household in the Borders with suitable storage space will receive a free blue-lidded recycling wheeled bin with a reusable storage sack.

Approximately 41,000 households will be receiving the bins during the first phase of delivery, which is currently underway.

The remaining 15,000 properties in the Borders, which will receive a supply of recycling sacks, should continue to recycle using these until such time as a further assessment can be made.

Meanwhile the move to alternate weekly collections will be phased in throughout the Borders during summer/autumn 2010.

The scheme has drawn fierce opposition in other local authority areas where it has been implemented.

Critics claim there to be no proof it increases recycling and that it may in fact lead to a rise in flytipping. The issue of a risk to public health by leaving rubbish in the street has also been raised.

However, this is refuted by local councillor Catriona Bhatia. She said: "There is no risk to public health as waste will be contained within the wheelie bin. There won't be bags just left lying for a fortnight at the side of the road.

"The environmental benefits of alternate collections far outweigh the negatives. As a result of these reduced journeys we will make over 300 tonnes of carbon savings, as well as a financial saving of £1.4 million."

Councillor Len Wyse, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: "Householders have always been very proactive in accepting changes to their waste collection services and I hope they will fully support this initiative.

"We are pleased to introduce these recycling bins to Border residents as it gives them somewhere specific to store their items for recycling.

"Householders continuing to use recycling bags may be contacted by Council staff regarding the options available and will be advised of any developments in their collections in due course."