EXCLUSIVE: Fresh calls to scrap bulk uplift charge in Glasgow
The £35 fee was introduced last July for large electrical appliances.
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
Glasgow City Council is facing fresh calls to scrap the bulk uplift charge as pressure grows on cleansing staff across the city.
The £35 fee was introduced last July for up to ten items or one large electrical appliance.
Speaking exclusively to Clyde 1 Labour councillor, Paul Carey, said: "Calls for the bulk uplifting service have dropped by 80% and I want to know where is all that waste going.
"There are families in this city who are really struggling and who are on benefits.
"Quite frankly, they are being faced with the choice of paying the money for an electrical item like a washing machine to be taken away or eating."
It's claimed fly tipping is on the increase across Glasgow because of the charge and refuse workers are baring the brunt of the problem.
GMB Scotland Convenor, Chris Mitchell, said: "This is having a detrimental effect on jobs because when somebody leaves they are not being replaced.
"Our members are left with more work because we are the ones having to clear people's unwanted goods that they have left behind.
"This council says it cares about the environment and yet all this fly tipping is causing big consequences for our world and they don't seem to be doing anything about it."
"This city has been picking up rubbish for the last 50 years"
There are fears that housing associations could be left to deal with fly tipping meaning tenants could see their rent go up.
Paul added: "This city has been picking up bulk for the last 50 years and now suddenly we are putting a stealth charge onto the housing associations to pass on to their tenants."
A spokesman for the council said: ““We are currently recycling around 60% of the bulky items thrown away by city households and that is directly attributable to changes in the way bulky waste is now dealt with.
“Residents are making greater use of our waste centres and most housing associations now provide an uplift service for their tenants, which has led to an improved separation of waste that makes it easier to process effectively.
“Changes to the bulk uplift service are part of this range of measures, which are intended to encourage greater reuse and recycling of materials that might otherwise be thrown away..
“The objective of the council’s cross-party supported Resources and Recycling Strategy is to reduce the amount of waste produced by the city as this will contribute to the city’s fight against climate change.
“Reuse and recycling extends the life of the materials that we consume, ensures value is retained in those materials and gives them a further use that helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the waste we produce.
“As a city there must a long term shift in how we deal with our waste if we are to make Glasgow as sustainable as possible and there is clear evidence of improvement.