Strike Action in Waste Services Suspended

We have received official confirmation from trade unions that the strike action set to take place in Waste Services from Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 21 August 2024 (eight days) has been suspended. The planned strike was part of a national pay dispute affecting local authorities across Scotland.

This means that there will be no bin strike in Dumfries and Galloway during these dates and recycling centres will remain open as usual.

The unions will now proceed to ballot their members on the new pay offer made by COSLA.

Last updated: Wednesday 7 August 2024

We are expecting significant disruption to our waste services across the region from Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 21 August (8 days) due to strike action by Unite and Unison trade union members.

Unless the industrial action is called off, no household (general waste, recycling and food) bins or sacks will be collected between the strike dates.

Commercial waste collection will be impacted, too. The bulky uplift service will not be operational during this time. We will update this page as soon as we have further information available. 

Some of our 12 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) across the region will also be affected. You can find out which centres remain open and book a slot here, albeit we anticipate increased demand. 

The strike is part of a national pay dispute affecting local authorities across Scotland. Discussions are ongoing nationally between council leaders and trade unions with a view to agreeing a pay deal and resolving the dispute. 

We understand the impact and inconvenience this will cause and thank you for your patience. Please check this webpage and our social media accounts for updates. As soon as we have further information, we will share it. 

What can you do to prepare? 

First, tap in your postcode to check your Household Waste Collection Schedule online and find out which of your bins won't be emptied.

Please note that we have not made changes to the online bin calendar as this would remove the reference to the bin colour affected by the strike. The calendar will show collections as normal but these will not take place from Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 21 August (eight days).

Second, is there anything you can do to minimise your waste? 

• Can you safely store your waste or recycling until your next scheduled collection? 
• You can fit more recycling in your red-lidded bin if you squash your plastic bottles and cans.
• Flattening cardboard before placing in your blue-lidded bin will maximise the space available.
• If you cannot store your waste or recycling until your next collection day, you can take the excess to a Household Waste and Recycling Centre - if you book a slot, but be mindful that some sites may be closed due to the industrial action. 
• Speak to neighbours who may need support managing their waste and explain the situation to those who may not have heard what's happening. 
• Consider delaying cutting your grass if you put your clippings in your general waste bin. 

During the planned strike action 

• Regularly check our website and social media accounts for updates on suspended services and when collections will restart in your area. Please share this information with those who aren't online. 
• Don't put any bins or sacks out for collection until services return to normal. 
• Between the strike days we will not empty food waste bins. Please place food waste in your grey-lidded bin. 

After the planned strike action 

We won't have the resource to return for bins not emptied due to industrial action. If you have put your bin out and it was not emptied as scheduled, please take it back in and present it again on your next scheduled collection day. Check your Household Waste Collection Schedule here. 

Please don't overfill your bin as the lifting mechanism on our vehicles will not be able to uplift.  Please do not jump on the content of your bin as compacted material can get stuck in the bottom, which will result in your bin not being fully emptied.

Be assured that we will endeavour to clear any waste build-up as soon as we can, but it is likely that there will be a period immediately following the strike action where waste may remain in situ - areas will be prioritised daily, and we will clear affected areas as quickly as possible. For every missed general waste collection, we will collect up to two additional side waste bin bags, so if your bin is not collected for one week, you may present two additional bags on the subsequent collection day. 

Excess cardboard and paper can be placed beside the blue-lidded bin on collection day but must be protected from getting wet. Excess cans, plastics and cartons can be placed in a bin bag beside the red-lidded bin. Any bags used to present side waste will be placed under the lid of the recycling bin. 

If you still have questions, we've got some more information below: 

1. Will I receive a reduction in my Council Tax? 

The non-collection of waste from 14 to 21 August (8 days) has been outwith the control of the council. Trade union members are entitled to take part in industrial action if a majority of its members involved support it in a properly organised postal vote - called a 'ballot'. 

We will collect up to two additional side waste bin bags on this occasion due to the exceptional circumstances. 

2. Will I still receive my assisted collection? 

Yes, if you have registered for this service with the Waste Collection Service you will continue to receive this service. 

3. Can I put out any side waste bags? 

Due to the exceptional circumstances and due to fact that no refuse and recycling collection took place from 14 to 21 August (8 days) residents will be able to present up to two additional side waste bin bags beside their general waste (non-recyclable) bin on your next general waste collection day. Check your Household Waste Collection Schedule here to see your collection dates. 

4. What happens if I place more than two side waste bags beside my bin? 

Any bags in excess of two placed by the general waste (non-recycling) bin will not be lifted, but instead will be placed back into the emptied wheelie bin. 

5. Can I use red and blue-lidded bins to present non-recycling waste? 

No, you are not permitted to present non-recycling waste in your red or blue-lidded bin. Residents are advised that they can present up to two additional side waste bin bags on their next scheduled uplift day of non-recycling waste. Recycling bins presented for collection with contamination (general waste bin bags) will not be uplifted. 

6. What happens if I have excess paper and card (blue-lidded bin) or cans, plastics and cartons (red-lidded bin)? 

Large items of cardboard can be placed beside the blue-lidded bin on collection day. Excess cans, plastics and cartons can be placed in a bin bag beside the red-lidded bin. Bags will be emptied and placed under the lid of your bin and not removed.  

7. Will I receive my commercial waste collection? 

The Waste Collection Services will make the necessary arrangements to collect all commercial waste not uplifted from 14 to 21 August (8 days) as soon as practicable in the days following on from the strike action.

8. Can I take my waste to Household Waste Recycling Centres? 

Yes, you can take non-recycling and recycling material to your local Household Waste Recycling Centres. Opening times can be found on link below where you will need to book a slot to attend. Recycling centres and recycling points | Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk). However, note that some sites may be affected by industrial action. 

9. I have more than six in my household and my bin is full what I am supposed to do? 

Only households with six or more people living there permanently can apply for an additional capacity bin using the link attached.https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/FaultReporting/Waste/BinCapacity. You may present two additional waste bin bags beside the bin on your next scheduled uplift day.