Most Fife bin collections scrapped from next week during strikes

Most bin collections across Fife are going to be suspended from next week for eight days.

It's as staff take strike action in a dispute over pay.

Waste and recycling centres staff, and street cleansing staff will walk out from 5am on Wednesday August 14 until 4.59am on Thursday August 22.

The local authority has warned the walkout will “significantly impact” household waste collections and street cleaning.

There will also be an impact on recycling centres, which may be subject to closure, and collections from recycling points.

What should I do?

Residents should present their bin as normal, if it's not been emptied by 9pm we're being told to not take it out again until the next scheduled day.

Business owners should do the same thing.

Fife Council's asking we take any litter home and store any recycling until our next collection day, as litter and dog waste bins will likely be affected and quickly fill up.

It anticipates normal service to resume on August 22.

Services likely to be impacted:

• Resident wheeled bin collections
• Household waste recycling centres
• Litter and dog waste bins
• Street litter and fly-tipping clearances
• Bulky uplifts (existing bookings may not go ahead)

Carol Connolly, Fife Council’s executive director of place, said: “This strike action is part of national action being carried out across Scotland. This will be an extremely challenging period for us all and I would like to thank our residents and visitors for their patience and understanding.

“If your bin is due to be collected on a day affected by strike action, please present it on the kerb as usual, but if it has not been emptied by 9pm take it back in and present it again on the next scheduled day for that bin. Decisions on which bins will be serviced will be dependent on the numbers of employees attending work, or striking.

“Please store products that can be recycled until the next scheduled collection day, where possible.  We will lift excess waste landfill and recycling on the next scheduled uplift. Please do not leave landfill waste at recycling points as this is fly-tipping.”

There's also going to be no guaranteed bulky uplift service for pre-booked collections.

Those with bookings should present the items as normal, removing them and re-booking their appointment if it's not collected.

Illegal fly-tipping should be reported as normal, but there is likely to be significant disruptions to this service too.

The council will try to prioritise any incidents where there is an immediate health and safety risk and potential danger to members of the public.

It will keep residents updated online at www.fife.gov.uk/binstrike