Introduction of new household waste collection schedule for Stirling residents

A more efficient waste collection schedule, which will lead to savings of £500,000 a year, is to be introduced by Stirling Council on Tuesday, 4 March.

A woman stands in front of a bin lorry, leaning on waste bins, while two operatives stand either side, holding posters that reac: 'Get ready, bin schedules are changing from March 4.'
Cllr Jen Preston, pictured with Modern Apprentices Liam McGregor (left) and Chris Moore at Lower Polmaise, says the new schedule will optimise schedule delivery.

Currently, household waste is collected on a seven day per week shift pattern. This will be replaced by a four day, Tuesday-Friday collection schedule for all households, which will significantly reduce the cost of operating the service.

The move brings Stirling into line with many local authorities in Scotland, who already operate a four day per week collection cycle.

Bin collection days will change for most households, but residents will see no loss of frequency to their service.

All residents will shortly receive a letter outlining the new details, along with a paper copy of their new collection schedule.

There will be no changes to the operation of the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Lower Polmaise, Balfron and Callander.

Five men stand in front of a bin lorry and behind a row of bins, with two on either end carrying a poster that says 'Bin schedules are changing from 4 March.'
Waste Service Manager, Graeme Shirlaw, and his team will oversee the new waste schedule from 4 March.

Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “The existing seven-day collection model has presented logistical and resource challenges in recent years and the new four-day schedule will optimise service delivery, reduce costs and improve reliability for residents.

“It’s a delivery model that is already common in many other local authorities across Scotland and, of course, the annual savings are also very important. This is more vital than ever as we prepare to tackle another significant budget shortfall in 2025-26.

“We know our waste and recycling services are really important to residents and we encourage everyone to make a note of their new collection schedule to ensure that bins are placed at the kerb in time for collection.

“Change can be challenging and we appreciate the efforts people put into recycling and waste collection. We’d especially like to thank those people in our streets who take the lead in putting out the right bins on the right day, often allowing the rest of us to follow suit.

“We really value our ‘Binfluencers’ and the work they do for their neighbours and local communities, and I know they will help us all get the correct bins out for collection from 4 March.”

A woman leans on a row of bins as she holds a poster saying: 'Bin schedules are changing from 4 March.'
Councillor Jen Preston has thanked Stirling residents for the efforts they put into recycling and waste collection.

In addition to letters, full details explaining the changes can be found at www.stirling.gov.uk/newwasteschedule.

A postcode finder will go live in the build-up to the change on 4 March which, in addition to the calendars, offers residents the opportunity to access details of their new waste schedules.

Local businesses who rely on Stirling Council’s Waste Services team for their bin collections will shortly receive a letter outlining the forthcoming changes for their premises.

Residents and businesses should look out for Stirling Council’s social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter and Insta) for updates on the changeover, including the introduction of the postcode finder, in the lead up to 4 March.