Aberdeen residents will be able to register for brown bin collections from next month- after a new charge by council chiefs sparked outrage in the city.
At this year’s budget meeting, the ruling Conservative, Aberdeen Labour and independent administration announced the introduction of a new £30 fee for taking away garden waste.
Council bosses are expecting an income of between £792,000 and £990,000 annually from the charge.
Under the plans, residents who put out garden waste for kerbside collection will have a special “tamper proof” sticker fixed to their brown bin after paying a £30 annual fee.
There will not be a charge for people using the bins for food waste.
It is intended the charge for collections will come into force from September 1 and preparations for the roll-out are continuing.
Opposition parties have criticised the charge but the ruling administration have pointed out that the fees are widely used across Scotland.
Council environmental spokesman Philip Bell said: “It’s important to stress that collections are optional and we will continue to offer advice and guidance to anyone who wishes to consider alternatives such as composting.
“Some residents may also choose to drop garden waste at our network of household waste and recycling centres, which has been taken into account in our planning.”
The potential for an increase in domestic garden waste being deposited at household waste and recycling centres has been factored into plans.
Residents will be notified by letter of the full detail prior to the roll-out.
