PRINTED rubbish collection calendars could be on their way to the bin themselves under new proposals being put before councillors today (Thursday).

Argyll and Bute Council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee will be asked to consider a recommendation that 2018 is the final year that printed schedules are issued.

Approximately £26,000 is currently budgeted for a printed calendar to go to every household in Argyll and Bute – estimated at around 48,000. It is estimated that going online only will save £24,000.

As part of the proposed cost-cutting measure, residents would be able to access information online on when their bins will be emptied.

Households without internet access would still be able to request a printed copy of the calendar.

A report to go before the committee at today’s meeting in Lochgilphead states: “Argyll and Bute Council has since 2004 sent out printed colour calendars to households across the council’s area.

“There are around 48,000 households in Argyll and Bute; a budget figure of around £26,000 is budgeted for the printing and distribution of a calendar to each household.

“An increasing number of Scottish local authorities – 12, with a further three starting in this financial year, out of a total of 32 – no longer issue hard copy waste and recycling collection calendars to the public.

“There will always be a requirement to provide support to users that can’t access their collection calendar online.

“In order to ensure that users such as this have up-to-date information on the collection calendars hard copy calendars will be provided upon request.

“We estimate that we will receive around 2,500 requests for printed calendars in the first year of having made the switch to online only publication.”

The report adds that the proposed switch to online calendars is part of the council’s commitment to find more environmentally-friendly ways of working, as well as responding to public demand on unnecessary waste.