FOI Request - Waste Management - Scotland

Request 101003950778

1. Policies and guidance on bins and obstructions

Please provide copies of any current policies, procedures, guidance, or staff instructions that relate to keeping pavements and footways clear on or around refuse and recycling collection days, including any specific instructions about the placement or return of wheelie bins and preventing obstructions.

2. Operational responsibility

Is refuse and recycling collection carried out directly by the local authority or by an external contractor (or contractors)? If an external contractor is used, please provide the contractor name(s) and the start date of the current contract(s).

3. Staff training on disability and accessibility

Please provide details of any training provided to refuse and recycling collection staff (including contractors) that relates to disability awareness, visual impairment awareness, or accessibility, including:

a) training/course title(s) and who provides them (internal or external),

b) the frequency of training (for example induction only, annual refresher), and

c) copies of any training materials, slides, handouts, or guidance documents currently used.

4. Volume of disability and obstruction related contacts

Please provide the number of reports, complaints, or service requests recorded by the council (or on its behalf) that relate specifically to wheelie bins, other bins or waste bags causing obstruction or accessibility issues for pedestrians, including disabled people (for example blind or partially sighted people, wheelchair users, or people using mobility aids), for each of the following periods:

a) 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, and

b) 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

Where records are categorised or searchable, please provide: the category label(s) used (for example “obstruction”, “access”, “pavement blocked”), and the search terms, tags, or filters you used to identify the relevant records.

If you do not record a specific “disability” marker, please provide the number of wheelie bin reports that are categorised as “obstruction”, “accessibility”, “pavement/footway blocked”, or equivalent. If none of these categories exist, please provide the closest available proxy measure you hold (for example cases recorded under “street obstruction” where the narrative references a wheelie bin), and briefly describe what that proxy is.

5. How the public can report bin issues

Please provide details of the methods currently available for members of the public to report bin issues (for example online form, telephone, email, webchat, in person), including:

a) the relevant contact points (for example the email address or web page title), and

b) copies of any published guidance the council provides to the public on reporting these issues.

6. Accessibility of reporting routes (information held)

Response 26-03-2026

1. We operate our collections i.a.w. Code of Practice Household Recycling in Scotland and provide training for all our operatives which includes returning all bins to a safe place to minimise obstructions on public pavements and private drives.

2. All our waste and recycling collections are internal.

3. This FOI has highlighted the fact that we do not currently cover the additional issues that visually impaired or physically handicapped people may encounter in relation to the siting of both domestic and commercial bins on collection days. We will address this in the coming weeks and update our training packages accordingly.

4. 

2024
1. Wheelie bin/rubbish dumped on pavement by neighbour causing problems for the public using that section of pavement - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'pavement'.
2. Wheelie bins/rubbish outside garden fence resulting in no access to public path - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'access'.

2025
1. Refuse crew/residents not returning bins to allocated storage area causing a hazard for drivers and vulnerable path users - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'obstruct'.
2. Emptied bins not returned correctly and causing an obstruction for pedestrians - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'obstruct'.
3. Bins from neighbouring properties left on pavement no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'pavement'.
4. Old bin (awaiting replacement) causing an obstruction - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'obstruct'.
5. Wheelie bins/rubbish from neighbouring residents placed on private land causing a nuisance and obstruction - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'obstruct'.
6. Emptied bins not returned correctly blocking paths - noted as causing issues for wheelchair users, elderly and those with prams/buggies - search tag used 'blocked'.
7. Old bin (awaiting replacement) not collected and causing issues on the pavement - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'pavement'.
8. Bins obstructing well used lane - no mention of any specific disability group affected - search tag used 'obstruct'.

5. Any member of the public can contact the Council to report any issues with waste and recycling collections by either phoning 0300 1234565 or e-mailing Waste@moray.gov.uk or visit any of the Councils public access points

6. Our Accessibility Statement is published and available on the Moray Council website page can be accessed at the bottom of the mail landing page of the Council’s website page. This information is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page here: http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_125766.html