A number of significant changes to Falkirk Council’s Waste Services – including new opening hours at Waste Recycling Centres and new charges for certain collections - were approved at this week’s Executive meeting. 

The changes will allow Waste Services to meet new legislative and regulatory standards, as well as make savings and reduce the Council’s carbon footprint. 

The proposals approved include: 

• A new booking system to be introduced at Household Waste Recycling Centres – to improve safety on site, improve the customer experience and reduce carbon emissions from drivers idling while waiting - as well as new opening times between 10am and 6pm. 

• Responding to the introduction of the national Deposit Return Scheme (August 2023), by removing the black box collections from September. The Deposit Return Scheme will see householders receive 20p for returned glass bottles, aluminium drinks cans and clear plastic bottles from designated shops and automated reverse vending machines.

• Removing the Environmental Enforcement Team and reducing the Environmental Improvement Fund to £20k per year from April 2023. 

• Investing in expanding the Hydro Vegetable Oil scheme to fuel heavy vehicles which will reduce the Council’s carbon footprint. 

• Progressing with new approaches to dispose of household waste to comply with the introduction of the biodegradable landfill ban by the end of 2025, will help reduce the Council’s carbon footprint. 

• Introducing a charge for bulky waste, at £35 (with help for those on low income/benefits), 

• Introducing an annual charge for Brown Bins (£25) (with help for those on low income/benefits).  

Significant changes ahead