Garden Waste Collection Service- resuming normal service

29th April 2020

The Highland Council is pleased to announce that the Garden Waste Collection Service will be resumed from Monday 11th May 2020. Householders who have purchased a 2019/20 permit for the fortnightly collection of their garden waste are urged to check their calendars on The Highland Council's website for their collection day. https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/54/bin_calendars

Carron McDiarmid, Chief Executive Officer, Communities and Place said: "It has been a challenge to deliver services during these exceptionally testing times and I'm very pleased to announce that the Garden Waste Collection Service can return to some normality. Your patience and understanding has been most appreciated whilst we have had to prioritise delivery of other essential services."

She continued: "The Garden Waste Collection Service was suspended on Monday 23rd March due to the impact of Covid-19 on staff resources. The Highland Council is currently operating with a shortfall of approximately 30% - 40% in waste operations staff and therefore priority was given to the collection of statutory household rubbish (green bin), recycling (blue bin) and food waste collections in Inverness. The staffing situation has now been reviewed and additional staff resources have been identified which now allows for the recommencement of the Garden Waste Collection Service."

Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: “Arrangements we able to be finalised yesterday so I look forward to the service starting up from Monday 11 May. Some people may not be sure which is their collection week, so I strongly urge permit holders to check their calendars on The Highland Council website and share this information with their immediate neighbours where possible.”

When the collections resume on the 11th May, there will have been 3-4 missed brown bin collections depending on the collection week. To compensate customers for these missed collections, the current collection permits will be extended by a period of 9 weeks beyond their current expiry date at the end of June. All current permits are now valid until the end of August 2020.

The brown bins must be presented with a valid permit and the bin lids fully closed, no extra side waste will be collected.

As a reminder, the Garden Waste Collection Service is for the recycling of the following from your garden: grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, twigs and small branches, flowers, plants and weeds. Customers are asked to check the contents of their bin to ensure it contains no contamination. To help reduce the spread of Coronavirus the public should regularly clean their bin handles and lids as well as washing their hands before and after touching their bins.

Crews are operating on safe distancing procedures due to the continuing threat of COVID-19. This may mean collections take longer to complete than usual so please put your bin out for 7.00am on your scheduled collection day. Collections may also be suspended at short notice if there are further circumstances outwith our control and customers are advised to regularly check the Council’s website for updates.

To check for your collection date and view your calendar please see https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/54/bin_calendars

Details of the Garden Waste Collection Service can be found here: www.highland.gov.uk/gardenwaste

All enquiries please e-mail recycle@highland.gov.uk

While Garden Waste collection will resume the public are being reminded that all Highland Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) remain closed due to the Government’s decision to restrict all but non-essential movement. The Council is closely monitoring the situation across the country and as soon as it is permittable, the sites will be re-opened. Residents are being asked to act responsibly by not putting waste you may have taken to a HWRC in your household bins as it may overwhelm collection services. In addition, householders are advised to avoid carrying out large DIY projects or spring cleans unless they have space to store the waste.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

Today : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

Today : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

Today : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

Today : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

Today : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.