Grey Bin Recycling Service FAQ's
Why is the recycling service changing?
We're changing the way you recycle at home to bring Glasgow's recycling services in line with Scottish guidance (Code of Practice, which supports the Charter for Household Recycling) and to align with changes introduced by other councils. These changes will make it easier for you to recycle and make a big difference to the quality of recycling we collect.
What's Changing?
We are providing kerbside properties with a new grey bin for recycling plastics, metals, cartons, soft plastics and film. As well as plastic bottles you can now also recycle other types of plastic in your new grey bin. This includes yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, food trays, soft plastics and film, such as plastic wrapping, carrier bags, and film lids.
Your blue bin should now only be used to recycle paper, card and cardboard.
The Council is trialling service changes to flats within three different areas in the city, but widespread change to all flats is not anticipated until completion of the roll out to all kerbside properties.
Will my collection day change?
Your collection days are not changing. Please see check your collection calendar provided with your information pack. If you have not received your calendar or pack, please complete our online form.
When will the new service start?
- North West grey bin deliveries: Phases 1 and 2 Dark Grey Recycling Bin Delivery Dates (arcgis.com)
- South West grey bin deliveries: Phase 3 Dark Grey Recycling Bin Delivery Dates (arcgis.com)
- South East grey bin deliveries: Phase 4 Dark Grey Recycling Bin Delivery Dates (arcgis.com)
- North East grey bin deliveries: Phase 5 Dark Grey Recycling Bin Delivery Dates (arcgis.com)
How often will my bins be collected?
Your bins will be collected as follows:
- Grey bin - every 4 weeks
- Blue bin - every 4 weeks
- Green bin - every 3 weeks
- Purple bin - every 8 weeks
- Brown bin - every 2 weeks
We currently collect your green non-recyclable waste bin every 3 weeks and blue recycling bin on alternate weeks.
There will be no change to the collection frequency for green, brown or purple bin collections.
You will be provided with a calendar which shows when each of your bins will be collected.
How will you let residents know about the new service?
Residents will receive a letter approximately four weeks in advance of the grey bin being delivered. Thereafter, a leaflet and collection calendar will also be provided, approximately two weeks before delivery of the grey bin, which explains how to take part in the new service.
We will be running community drop-in events before the new service is introduced to your area. Details of these will be provided in the letter and promoted on social media. At these events the range of recycling bins will be displayed, along with examples of the types of materials that can be recycled in each container. These sessions will also allow residents to have their questions answered and learn more about the new service.
How big are the new grey bins?
240 litres - this is the same size as your existing blue, green and brown bins.
What are the benefits of recycling?
As well as preserving natural resources, recycling can help to reduce carbon emissions - it takes less energy to make recycled products than using raw materials.
In addition, Glasgow is aiming to become a zero-waste city. Having declared a climate emergency in May 2019, the city is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
We can help achieve these goals by recycling more of our waste. It's therefore never been more important to recycle.
Do I have to recycle?
Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires householders to use the bins or containers provided by the council for waste and recycling collections and for the householder to place the correct waste material in the correct bins.
Where does my recycling go?
Plastics, metals, cartons and soft plastics collected in your grey bin are sorted, baled and sent for reprocessing into new products.
Paper, card and cardboard collected in your blue bin is baled, pulped, and turned into new paper and cardboard products.
Glass collected in your purple bin is taken to processing facilities where it is crushed, colour sorted, melted, and turned into new glass bottles and jars.
Food and garden waste collected in your brown bin is treated at an In Vessel Composting (IVC) facility and turned into compost.
Non-recyclable waste from your green bin is sent to the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre where is it treated and diverted from landfill.
You can find out more about what happens to your waste and recycling here.
How are the Council funding this Service Change?
We have been awarded £21.2 million from the Scottish Government Recycling Improvement Fund (RIF) to substantially change and improve how recycling services are provided.
The RIF award has been split into two areas: £4.2 million to assist in changes to the kerbside recycling collection service, and £17 million for the development of a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The new MRF, due for completion in 2026, will sort the contents of the blue and grey bins prior to sending the material to re-processors to be recycled into new products. This new plant will replace the council's existing MRF, located at Blochairn.
What if I don't have space for another bin?
Households should be able to accommodate an additional bin however we do realise that some households may have space constraints. This is an opportunity to participate in our new recycling service and will allow residents to support the aims of the City by recycling more, improving recycling quality and positively contributing to our environmental and carbon targets.
The new bin is for recycling plastics, metals, cartons, soft plastics and film. As well as plastic bottles you can also recycle other types of plastic in your new grey bin. This includes yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, food trays, soft plastics and film such as plastic wrapping, carrier bags, and film lids.
As we are also introducing our One Green Bin Policy. and Contamination Policy, each resident will require the new bin to enable the household to place these items in the correct bin; in addition, the new bin will be collected every 4 weeks (our blue bin service will also move to a 4 weekly collection).
If you continue to have issues storing a bin, If you continue to have issues storing a bin, please complete our online form.
I don't want another bin?
A The Council is bringing Glasgow's recycling services in line with Scottish guidance (Code of Practice, which supports the Charter for Household Recycling).
Every kerbside property is being provided with a new grey bin for recycling plastics, metals, cartons, soft plastics and film. As well as plastic bottles you can now also recycle other types of plastic in your new grey bin. This includes yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, food trays, soft plastics and film, such as plastic wrapping, carrier bags, and film lids.
As we are also introducing our One Green Bin Policy. and Contamination Policy,', each resident will require the new bin to enable the household to place these items in the correct bin; in addition, the new bin will be collected every 4 weeks (our blue bin service will also move to a 4 weekly collection).
This is an opportunity for every resident to participate in our new recycling service and will allow residents to support the aims of the City by recycling more, improving recycling quality and positively contributing to our environmental and carbon targets.
What if I have too many bins already?
We can remove additional green or blue bins, however they must be empty and presented at the kerbside for removal. We do not remove brown bins as brown bins are used for food waste, which is a statutory service; brown bins must remain at the property. To have an additional green or blue bin uplifted please fill out our online form.
Can I leave extra waste beside the bins for collection?
No. It is council policy that we cannot take extra bags beside a bin. If you cannot keep it until the next time your bin is due to be emptied, excess waste can be taken to any one of four household waste recycling centres (HWRC) across the city. Additional non-recyclable and recyclable waste can be disposed at the HWRC or you can arrange for a bulky uplift.
Will my assisted pull-out service continue for my new bin?
Yes, if you already have an assisted collection then the new grey bin will be included in this service.
How do I receive information in a different format?
This information can be made available in a variety of alternate formats and community languages on request. If you would like more information about this or would like to request an alternative format or language, please contact us on 0141 287 9700 or by email.
What if I miss a collection?
If you miss a bin collection, you will have to wait until the next scheduled collection date to have your bin emptied. If possible, take some of your waste to one of our household waste recycling centres, or wait until your next collection day or perhaps, with permission, try to use a neighbour or relative's bin.
Why bother about recycling when you can just burn the waste and get energy out of it?
Recyclables have a value attached to them as a resource - the longer they stay in use, the better for the environment, the taxpayer and the local community.
The law in Scotland prevents anything else other than waste that cannot be recycled from going through an energy from waste plant. Recycling is a priority with the Scottish Government having a recycling target of 70% by 2025.
I live in a flat - is my service changing?
We are trialling a new approach to the collection of household waste from tenement flats that will involve placing new, purpose-built bin-hubs at the front of properties.
The new approach will see bins emptied more frequently and we believe it will reduce missed bin collections while also helping residents to keep their back courts in better condition.
Parts of Pollokshields, Haghill and Berkeley Street have already received this new service and work is ongoing to provide it to the rest of the city over the next few years.
You can find out more information here.
What if I have more recycling than will fit in my grey or blue bin?
The capacity provided for the grey and blue bin over a four-week provided will be sufficient for the vast majority of households. Please ensure all card and cardboard is flat packed to maximise space within your blue bin. In addition, squashing any plastic bottles, cartons, and cans will minimise the space they take up in the grey bin
Larger recycling bins will not be provided.
I want to report a missed collection
If your bin was tagged by our collection crew, it may have been contaminated or if your additional green bin was tagged it will not be collected as we only collect one green bin every 3 weeks. If your bin was presented on time and not contaminated, please follow this link for reporting a missed collection.
What is your new contamination policy?
You can find more information on our contamination policy by following this link.
What is your new green bin policy?
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