Bin and gone!

Fury erupted today over plans to scrap weekly bin collections inAberdeen.

As exclusively revealed in later editions of yesterday's EveningExpress, Aberdeen City Council wants to introduce fortnightlycollections to more than 71,000 homes in spring next year.

The council currently recycles 18% of its waste, far below thecurrent target of 40%.

And it is hoped the changes would increase this rate and savepounds2 million a year.

But today the plans were slammed.

Labour councillor Gordon Graham said: "I think this is wrong wayof going about things.

"I think people should be encouraged to recycle, but I think thiswill just make them dump their rubbish elsewhere.

"I go past houses where the bins are already full, it is going tobe even worse with fortnightly collections."

William Allan, 70, who lives in Bridge of Dee, said: "I thinkit's an absolute disgrace.

"It's complete nonsense.

"It will be very bad for the environment to have bins overflowingleft right and centre. The council should definitely stick toweekly rubbish collections if they want to keep the city clean."

A trial of fortnightly bin collections in Dyce which started inSeptember 2005 saw the recycling rate increase to 30.4%. A survey ofresidents showed that 72% said the service was "good" or "verygood".

Now the council wants to roll it out across the city.

And it could also mean the council would be likely to chargehouseholders for having more than one bin per household.

The council plans include a pounds100 million recycling centre,which would automatically sort material into different categories.

It could mean the council can increase the types of item itrecycles, including Tetra Pak cartons, household batteries, yoghurtpots and textiles.

Larger council tips could be built in the Bridge of Don and inthe west of the city and in the long term composters could beintroduced for people to recycle garden waste.

Residents would be able to put out their recycling in one bin.

Scottish Government targets say councils much reduce the amountthey dump in landfill to just 5% by 2025, and increase the amountthat is recycled to 70%.

Landfill costs are likely to rise to pounds7.4 million by 2010,and the council's plans would save pounds2m per year.

Deputy leader and finance boss councillor Kevin Stewart said: "Wehave got to stop landfilling so much for the good of the planet.

"We have got to make major changes.

"I would also like to see funding coming for this nationally."

Aberdeen currently has the lowest cost of collection perhousehold, at pounds55 - compared to the national average ofpounds58.10. Collecting recyclables costs pounds214.78 per tonne,compared to pounds38.53 for normal refuse.

Also included in the report, to be considered by the full councilnext Wednesday, are plans for expanding food and catering wastecollections for schools and other council buildings and possiblysetting up joint treatment facilities with Aberdeenshire Council.

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