Four sites have been identified for the new hubs, which will be operational from Monday (24 March) and will replace the requirement for residents to leave purple sacks on the kerbside at pre-arranged times and walk a distance to access recycling facilities.
Communal bin hubs have been installed on King Street and at the top of Friars Street, with two also sited on Queen Street. Engagement and consultation has taken place with residents on King Street and Queen Street who will participate in the pilot, including letters outlining the new changes.
Residents using sacks in city centre locations other than King Street and Queen Street should continue to present purple sacks at 7am on Tuesdays and Fridays. Recycling bring site locations are still available for their residential use.
The new system will make it easier for residents to dispose of household waste, increase recycling opportunities and outcomes and enhance the appearance and cleanliness of the city centre.
The pilot has been funded through the Council’s 2024/25 Capital Fund as part of our City Centre Improvement Project. The project aims to gather data to inform a potential bid to external funding sources, such as Zero Waste Scotland's Recycling Improvement Fund, for a wider rollout across the entire city centre if the 12-month trial period proves successful.
Waste and recycling arrangements will remain the same for city centre businesses, who have also been consulted on the changes. It’s hoped local traders will also benefit from less street clutter and a more welcoming environment.
Recycling
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “The introduction of communal bin hubs in this pilot programme will improve the current service received by city centre residents.
“The new system is more convenient for residents. It avoids the need to collect purple sacks from the Council and it’s a shorter walking distance for recycling requirements. Improving the service will help improve the quantities and quality of our recycling.
“It will also help the visual appearance of the city centre. We frequently receive complaints that purple sacks are left on the streets outside their collection time window and it detracts from the experience of Stirling for visitors and locals alike.
“We’ve engaged fully with residents and local businesses, including Stirling BID, and we believe the trial has the potential to increase footfall in the city centre as we make it an even more welcoming space to live, work, visit and enjoy.”
Monitored
The bin hubs are approximately 6.5 wide x 1.2m high, with space for streams such as non-recyclable waste, plastics, cans, cartons, paper and cardboard and glass and food waste.
The communal bin hubs will be emptied at least three times a week and their capacity and cleanliness will be monitored by representatives from waste services, land services and community safety teams.
The communal bin hubs will be liveried by artwork and photography that promotes Stirling and its history, with a customised QR code directing users to learn more about the pilot or report any issues.
Regular engagement sessions will continue with city centre residents and businesses over the next 12 months. Data and further information will also be collected that will allow informed decisions to be made on the future of waste and recycling collections in the city centre beyond the pilot period to assist with the elimination of the need for purple sacks.