If you’ve ever turned up at a bottle bank anywhere across Lochaber only to find it overflowing with glass bottles and surrounded by broken glass, you’re not alone! It’s a frustrating problem, especially during the busy summer months when our visitor numbers surge. I’m working to get it sorted – but I need your help.
On Monday, I met with my fellow Lochaber councillors and the Highland Council Waste Management team, including our new Waste Management Officer, Liam McLone. Liam is based at the Carrs Corner Depot in Fort William and is our go-to person for issues like missed bin collections or damaged public bins.
One of the big issues we discussed was the overflowing glass recycling bins. While there have been previous problems with the contractor responsible for collections, we’ve been reassured that newer vehicles and better planning should help. However, I made it clear that in some areas, particularly in the summer months, the existing collection schedule just isn’t keeping up.
In places like Acharacle and Ballachulish, the bottle banks frequently become full to the brim, leading to bags of glass bottles being dumped nearby, creating an eyesore – and worse, a safety hazard. Visitors staying in self-catering accommodation are doing the right thing by recycling, but this surge in use, possibly compounded by some hospitality businesses using these bins instead of commercial services, is pushing the system beyond its limits.
The good news is that the Waste Management Team has agreed to review the collection schedule and look at the possibility of increasing pick-ups during peak tourist season.
But to make the strongest case for change, I need local input. Are bottle banks in your area overflowing? When does this happen? Where are the worst affected locations? Would more frequent collections help? Are there enough bottle banks in the right places?
I’m reaching out to community councils to gather feedback, but if you have thoughts on this, I’d love to hear from you too! Please drop me an email or comment below.