Bin and gone for recycled waste

Holes for the recycle bins have been created in the Grassmarket

Giant recycling containers are being put into the ground in an area of Edinburgh as part of plans to improve the appearance of the city's streets.

The pilot project in the Grassmarket will see four sets of bins stored in three separate places under the street.

The idea - already commonplace in Europe - involves fixing a small chute above the ground for throwing away rubbish, set away from the main road.

The move follows complaints about giant wheelie bins in the city's New Town.

Robert Aldridge, Edinburgh Council's environment leader, said: "It is important that we make it as easy as possible for all city residents to adopt the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message.

"By introducing underground containers we are able to have more facilities taking up less space on our streets, which also means there is less impact on the streetscape."