(Image credit Whyler Photos/Stirling Council)
RESIDENTS in Stirling city centre are to be asked to dispose and recycle their household waste in communal bin hubs as part of a 12-month pilot programme.
Four sites have been identified for the hubs, which will be operational from March 24 and replace the requirement for residents to leave purple sacks on the kerbside at pre-arranged times and walk a distance to access recycling facilities.
The local authority explained the system will make it easier for residents to dispose of household waste, increase recycling opportunities and outcomes, and enhance the appearance and cleanliness of the city centre.
Further to this, the project aims to gather data to inform a potential bid to external funding sources, such as Zero Waste Scotland’s recycling improvement fund, for a wider rollout across the entire city centre if the trial proves successful.
The bin hubs are approximately 6.5m wide x 1.2m high, with space for streams such as non-recyclable waste, plastics, cans, cartons, paper and cardboard and glass and food waste. They will be emptied at least three times a week and their capacity and cleanliness will be monitored by representatives from waste services, land services, and community safety teams.
The hubs will be liveried by artwork and photography that promotes Stirling and its history, with a customised QR code directing users to learn more about the pilot or report any issues. Regular engagement sessions will continue with residents and businesses over the next year.
Stirling Council convener of the environment, transport, and net zero committee, councillor Jen Preston, said, “The introduction of communal bin hubs in this pilot programme will improve the current service received by city centre residents. The new system is more convenient for residents. It avoids the need to collect purple sacks from the council and it’s a shorter walking distance for recycling requirements. Improving the service will help improve the quantities and quality of our recycling.
“It will also help the visual appearance of the city centre. We frequently receive complaints that purple sacks are left on the streets outside their collection time window and it detracts from the experience of Stirling for visitors and locals alike.
“We’ve engaged fully with residents and local businesses, including Stirling BID, and we believe the trial has the potential to increase footfall in the city centre as we make it an even more welcoming space to live, work, visit and enjoy.”
Communal bin hubs have been installed on King Street and at the top of Friars Street, with two also sited on Queen Street. Engagement and consultation has taken place with residents on King Street and Queen Street who will participate in the pilot, including letters outlining the new changes.
