The multi-material kerbside recycling scheme proves highly successful - some Q and A's

The multi-material kerbside recycling scheme is also proving highly successful.

The blue and red boxes have now been distributed to 120,000 households.

An amazing 6,500 tonnes of waste has been collected to date. These collections have even helped raise money for charity.

The multi-material (blue and red) boxes are collected on alternate weeks. Your cut-out-and-keep colour-coded bin and box guide on these pages will help to remind you what items go in which boxes.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the multi-material scheme.

Q: Why are the materials sorted at the kerbside?
A: All materials are sorted at the kerbside to ensure that the collections are of high quality, as any contamination is removed at source.

Q: Why is it necessary to clean items before placing them in the boxes?
A: Clean materials are better as this prevents the attraction of vermin if boxes are stored outside between collection days.
And, as the materials are sorted by hand at the roadside, the collection team greatly appreciates efforts to clean recyclables. Cleaning also cuts down on contamination during the recycling process.
The removal of labels is unnecessary as these will be removed during the reprocessing of the material.

Q. Can telephone directories be placed in the blue paper bag?
A: Yes. Telephone directories are now accepted in the kerbside blue bag and at all Edinburgh’s paper recycling points.

Q: What about envelopes? Why can’t they be included?
A: Envelopes contaminate the paper recycling process due to their plastic windows and gummed sections.
However, they can be placed whole in the Packaging Recycling Points (with green lids) around the city.

Q: Why can’t light bulbs, glass dishes and window panes be recycled as part of the scheme?
A: Light bulbs, glass dishes and window panes cannot be recycled in the blue box because it would affect the quality of the recycled bottles and jars as this glass melts at a different temperature to the glass used in glass bottles and jars.

Q: Why are the boxes so small?
A: Smaller boxes have been selected so that those residents with limited internal and external space are able to store them more easily than larger bins.
It is also because the waste is sorted by hand at the kerbside, which reduces contamination throughout the recycling process.

Q: What do I do if I lose or damage my blue bag or red or blue box?
A: Missing bins, bags and boxes can be replaced on request by phoning the Council on 0131 529 3030 or by e-mail: WAE@edinburgh.gov.uk

• Braehead Community Recycling Centre is scheduled to reopen with improved recycling facilities at the end of this month following an extensive redevelopment. Look out for more details on this in the next Outlook.
• Seafield Community Recycling Centre was the first centre to be completely redeveloped and householders using the centre are recycling more than ever before.
• The site at Craigmillar and a new Community Recycling Centre at Sighthill will be fully refurbished later this year.
• Householders who are unable to take bulky items to a Community Recycling Centre can book a special uplift by phoning Environmental and Consumer Services on 0131 529 3030.