Good point sir!

News in brief

Edinburgh resident Hugh Millar contacted the Council with a recycling question which Outlook readers might find useful to note.

“A few months ago I was supplied with a plastic bag to recycle plastic containers (eg milk bottles, etc.). I fully approve of this initiative. The plastic bag is put out for collection with the red (cardboard) box.

“Today, for the first time, I was at the roadside when the bin lorry arrived and was surprised to see the contents of the red box and the plastic bag dumped together into the lorry. My question is why must the cardboard and plastic be placed in separate containers – this is very inefficient. Firstly, it is an extra chore for the residents and from my observation it involves extra work for the bin men (to dump a red box in the lorry is much quicker than emptying two items).”

And the answer!

Red boxes can take all types of plastic bottles and cardboard as these are very easily separated and don’t get damaged in the process. The bag was provided to allow extra capacity over and above the red box when we introduced plastic bottle recycling, but some residents prefer to use the plastic bag provided for plastic bottles and keep the red box for cardboard but – it’s up to you. Should you wish to only use the red box then you may do so.