Scotland asks households for views on bin colours and separate paper collections
A draft code for council collections proposes recommended bin colours, limits on general waste and a set list of what goes in kerbside recycling. The consultation closes on 21 January.
What goes in which bin could become more consistent across Scotland under a draft code the Scottish Government put out to consultation on Thursday. The consultation runs until 21 January 2027.
The household recycling code of practice would set out what is expected of councils when they collect household waste. It is being developed under the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, and ministers say it was drawn up with councils, waste specialists and environmental groups.
What the draft proposes
- Paper and card: more households would have these collected separately from plastic, metal and cartons, to cut contamination.
- Bin colours: a nationally recommended set, so the system is easier to follow.
- Kerbside lists: clear definitions of what can be collected, including flexible plastic and plastic film.
- General waste: limits on capacity, to push more people towards recycling and food waste collections.
The consultation also asks how food and garden waste should be collected, how exemptions for rural areas should work, what weekly general waste capacity the code should set, and whether it should specify how often general waste is picked up.
The Scottish Government's modelling suggests the code could lift the household recycling rate by about 2.5% and cut carbon emissions by around 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year, which it compares to the annual emissions of more than 27,000 petrol cars.
Councils, community groups and individuals can all respond. The final code will then be laid before the Scottish Parliament.
