Recycling to be prioritised with launch of new bin collection schedule

Published 22 September 2025

Residents are being encouraged to recycle more with the introduction of a new bin collection schedule across West Dunbartonshire.

A weekly bin collection will still be in operation but this will be on a three-week alternating cycle.

Every household will have recyclable waste collected twice in each three-week period, with general waste uplifted once.

Bin samples have highlighted that up to 70% of items placed in general waste bins could actually have been recycled if placed in the correct bin.

The new schedule, which will come into force from week beginning 10 November 2025, will support residents to do the right thing for the environment by recycling more.

To make the transition to the new schedule easier, each household will receive a pack which includes:

• A sticker to affix to the household general waste bin
• A calendar outlining which bin should be presented on which week
• A reference guide on what can be recycled
• Questions and answers which we anticipate you may have

Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor David McBride, said: “It is astonishing to think that 70% - that’s more than two thirds - of the waste which we dispose of could be recycled.

“This is having a harmful impact on the environment and the onus is on all of us to do as much as we can to combat this.

“I know people are well versed in the current bin collection cycle and it will take a bit of getting used to but this is an incredibly worthwhile project which will have huge benefits.”

Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill said: “I hope that everyone can join together in trying to take positive steps for the benefit of our environment.

“Many councils have already revised their collection schedules, focusing more on recycling and have had good results in cutting down the amount of waste which is currently sent to landfill or a facility which converts waste materials into energy.

“By doing this, there are both benefits to the environment and a reduction in the money which the Council pays in tax, meaning Council resources can be focused on other priorities.”

A comprehensive introduction to the changes and a series of Questions and Answers has been published on the Council’s website at https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/changes-to-bin-collections/ which should answer the majority of queries in relation to the revised schedule. Anyone with questions on this is asked to use this webpage as their first port of call.

To help prepare residents for the new schedule, all general waste bins will be collected on the week beginning 3 November 2025 and householders are asked to present their bin on their normal collection day that week. No recycling bins will be collected that week and further information is contained in the pack which is being sent directly to homes across West Dunbartonshire.

A new waste strategy focusing on educating citizens about recycling with a view to increasing recycling rates across West Dunbartonshire was agreed by councillors on the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development committee in 2023. Work has been undertaken since on the best ways to implement this for the benefit of residents of West Dunbartonshire while encouraging greater recycling.