Green Sack Collections Extended!
Next stage of the gull proof sacks waste collection.
Following the very successful trial of gull proof bags for waste collection which included two of our streets, Northumberland and Abercrombie, the council is preparing to extend their use across the World Heritage Site. After extensive consultation, the streets who indicated they want to use gull proof sacks have been agreed and a full list is available. Click Here (Word Doc)
Communal Bin Review Decision
You will be aware that City of Edinburgh Council have confirmed that our streets will use gull-proof sacks and avoid the large, unsightly, bin hubs that are being introduced across the city. Unfortunately, due to a lack of clarity in the consultation by the Council, some streets are being consulted again, however our 3 streets have been confirmed as part of the 18,000 properties in the New Town that will use gull-proof sacks.
This is a considerable victory for everyone who campaigned to protect our streets and retain kerb-side collections, and for all of our residents who supported the trial. A full list of streets and the proposed waste and recycling arrangements is on the street association website Click Here (Word doc)
Unfortunately we believe that the green sack collection may move to fortnightly at some point later this year, yet to be announced. There is no information about the provision of clear plastic bags for dry recycling. Until we have further information, please continue to contact Linda if you need bags email streetnorthumberland@gmail.com or use the NNSA WhatsApp group.
Updated – November 2025
PHASE 2 UPDATE AND EXTENSION TO SUCCESSFUL PROJECT
Council report comment from their own information and assessment
This was assessed via measurement of tonnages for both mixed recycling and non-recyclable waste, presentation rates and feedback from residents and operational teams. Residents have embraced the trial, and the feedback has been very positive. Operations have also seen an improvement in littering as there is less likelihood of the waste being blown out of the gull proof sacks. However, the tonnage hasn’t demonstrated a significant increase in the amount of recycling collected, despite increasing capacity from 44 to 85 litre (L) and the trial has not shown a reduction in the non-recyclable waste collected.
On Thursday the Council agreed to continue with the next phase of our recycling pilot. Our efforts to improve recycling without Communal Bin Hubs are definitely working. Committee Chair, Scott Arthur (who came to our AGM) was very positive about the fact that the green Gull-proof sacks are working, both for the Council and residents; not only are they extending the pilot they also want to increase it to more streets in the future.
In the next phase of our pilot the Council now wants to see the whole system in operation.
- New slightly smaller black sacks- to be the same capacity as a wheelie bin.
- Green sack collection every week – switching to a Thursday from 7 December.
- Increased use of food collection caddies.
CEC Leaflets – Food Recycling Extending the Trial
SUPPORT PAGE FOR OUR AMBASSADORS.
Thank you for supporting the pilot to increase the quantity and quality of or recycling. We hope that Green Gull Proof Sacks will provide a cost-effective alternative to the Council’s plans for permanently fixed Communal Bin Hubs every 100m on our streets. These hubs may create greater capacity per household but can lead to reduced recycling rates due to a lack of individual household responsibility and greater contamination of the recycling collected.
A successful pilot will help us argue against the threatened loss of our kerbside waste collections in YOUR street, and against the installation of these permanent fixed 8m long Bin Hubs. Bin Hubs will not increase recycling, they will destroy the precious Georgian streetscape of our city, attract vermin, graffiti, smell badly, encourage fly tipping and block light from basement dwellings.
Member support document
This document will support you in your discussions with your neighbours. To support them and the success of the pilot.
Print on both sides of paper, flip on short side and fold along line.
Click Here
Recycling Pilot Leaflet
This document is the leaflet explaining to residents how best to deal with their recycling with answers to common questions. It allows you to put your details or the details of the association for any additional support and to request more stocks of bags.
Click Here
How will the pilot be judged?
“The impact of the trial will be assessed via measurement of tonnages of both mixed recycling and general waste, the presentation of receptacles for recycling and general waste and the number of reports of overflowing bins in neighbouring streets.” City of Edinburgh Council.
Ambassador Help – if you have any questions or need assistance and/or more supplies please email the association on the contact us page. Alternatively register, login and leave a comment.
Supporting information sources.
Transport & Environment Committee – Communal Bin Review: 16 November 2023 Item 8.3 Appendices’ 5 & 6