Recycling errors spark concerns

More than 225 tonnes of waste has been removed to the tip

A council has said its staff are being put at risk by residents who dispose of "dangerous items" in bins which should be used for recycling.

Stirling Council said more than 225 tonnes of inappropriate waste had been put into its brown bins since April.

They said the cost of removing waste such as cement blocks, paddling pools and electric cables to landfill had cost taxpayers £17,000 in four months.

Only grass cuttings, leaves or weeds should be placed in brown bins.

The authority said the level of inappropriate waste being included in the bins was becoming a "concern".

'Endangering operators'

It warned that persistent offenders would be fined a fixed penalty of at least £50 and/or given a summary conviction of up to £1,000.

Sandy Murphy, compost controller at Lower Polmaise waste plant in the city, said: "Residents need to be more vigilant when putting items into their brown bins.

"Dangerous items are finding their way into brown bins which could get caught in a conveyor belt during processing and could ultimately cause an injury to the operators or damage the shredder."

The council use the waste from brown bin collections to make compost, which is made available to locals free of charge.

David Hopper, the authority's waste services manager said: "People who put the wrong items into the brown bins are responsible for increasing health and safety concerns and potentially endangering operators at the Polmaise.

"People also need to be aware that recycling incorrectly is costing the council money to dispose of the items under current environmental legislation."