Shapinsay and Westray – recycling collections to resume soon

Kerbside recycling collections are to start again in Westray and Shapinsay next month.

Before lockdown measures were put in place in March, both islands had an alternate weekly collection – with waste picked up one week and recyclables the next.

That will be the pattern when collections resume in November.

But there will be a difference – with householders asked to put out two types of material at each recycling collection.

• The first collection will be for plastic bottles and glass bottles and jars.
• Two weeks later metals such as tins, cans and kitchen foil will be picked up from the kerbside, along with paper and light card.

For Westray, an alternate weekly collection will begin again on Tuesday November 3, when general waste will be collected.

In Shapinsay, the usual collection day is being switched from a Friday to a Wednesday. The first Wednesday collection will be on 11 November – and will be for glass and plastic bottles.

The reintroduction of this service follows the purchase of an additional recycling wagon, which can carry two types of recyclable materials picked up from the kerbside. This is why each fortnightly collection will be for two types of recycling.

North Isles councilor Graham Sinclair, Orkney Islands Council’s chair of Development and Infrastructure, said: “I am pleased we can now bring back a valued service that had to be suspended when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced earlier in the year.

“The changes we’ve needed to put in place will help us provide a safe and efficient service in the two islands. I hope folk will soon get used to recycling in fortnightly instalments – two materials at a time.”

Shapinsay timetable:

• Friday 30 October – last Friday collection of general refuse.
• Friday 6 November – no collection.
• Wednesday 11 November – recycling (glass and plastic bottles).
• Wednesday 18 November – general refuse.
• Wednesday 25 November – recycling (paper and metals such as cans and tins).
• The Council is sending a new waste and recycling calendar to Shapinsay residents that reflects the collection day change from Fridays to Wednesdays.

Westray timetable:

• Tuesday 3 November – general refuse.
• Tuesday 10 November – recycling (glass and plastic bottles).
• Tuesday 17th November – general refuse.
• Tuesday 24th November – recycling (paper and metals such as cans and tins).

The council will continue to publicise these changes over the weeks to come – look out for the latest information on the OIC Updates Facebook page.

Other communities in the North and South Isles have different waste and recycling arrangements.

The Council is considering potential improvements to waste and recycling services across Orkney. All have been affected by Covid-19 restrictions.