Coronavirus
Coronavirus continues to be one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced in our lifetime and our response to has reflected its magnitude. Zero Waste Scotland continues to work with Local and Scottish Government and other key partners to make sure we meet this challenge head on.
Are my local collection services and recycling centres affected?
Local authorities across Scotland continue to affected differently and at different times due to coronavirus.
It is important to check your local authority website regularly, to keep up to date with any waste and recycling changes or temporary disruptions to collections that may affect you.
If you need to visit your local recycling centre, check your local authority website for information on what to expect as recycling centres may be operating differently for the time being, including opening hours, rules for access, availability slots and which materials are being accepted.
Learn more on what to expect at recycling centres.

Find the latest update from your local council
Find your Local Authority
Main Website
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/waste-covid-19/
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/waste-covid-19/#recyclingcentres
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.angus.gov.uk/recycle/coronavirus_outbreak_bins_and_recycling_updates
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.angus.gov.uk/bins_and_recycling/recycling_sites/recycling_centres_reopening_information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/bins
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2020/may/household-waste-recycling-centres-reopen-june-1
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus-4/bin-collections-recycling-centres/1
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus-4/bin-collections-recycling-centres/1
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.clacks.gov.uk/coronavirus/wasteupdates/
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk/article/20789/Waste-collection
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/services-affected
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/restricted-waste-and-recycling-centres-service-during-coronavirus
Main Website
http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Coronavirus/Bins-and-recycling.aspx
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Coronavirus/Recycling-centres.aspx
Main Website
http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/council-democracy/coronavirus-covid-19
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210574/emergencies_safety_and_crime/12488/coronavirus/11
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/news/article/13243/recycling_sites_to_re-open
Main Website
http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/covid19/waste.aspx
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/bins-and-recycling/recycling-points-and-centres
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/coronavirus
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1063/rubbish_-_household_waste/873/household_recycling_centres
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/covid-19/waste-and-recycling
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200296/coronavirus/628/bins_and_recycling
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/1054/bins_and_recycling/346/household_waste_recycling_centres
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_132517.html
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=34950
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=34950
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Council/C/coronavirus-covid-19-waste-and-recycling.htm
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Council/C/coronavirus-covid-19-waste-and-recycling.htm
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.pkc.gov.uk/coronavirus/waste
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-bins
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.shetland.gov.uk/coronavirus.asp
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/19478/Bins-Recycling-and-Open-Spaces
Recycling Centre Information
https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/19478/Bins-Recycling-and-Open-Spaces
Main Website
http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
Main Website
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/coronavirus/service-disruptions-and-closures/
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/coronavirus/service-disruptions-and-closures/
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/50755/Recycling-and-Waste-Updates
Recycling Centre Information
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/50755/Recycling-and-Waste-Updates
Main Website
Waste and Recycling Services Page
Recycling Centre Information
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Keep up to date.
Regularly check your local authority website to keep up to date with any changes or temporary disruptions to waste and recycling collections that may effect you.
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Make a plan.
Always plan ahead before visiting a recycling centre, so you know what rules are in place before leaving. Sorting your materials beforehand will also help you maximise your recycling when there.
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Think about the environment.
Can any of your items be reused or recycled? -
Ask for help.
But don’t take up offers of cheap disposal, it could lead to others flytipping your items. Always ask to see a waste carriers license, which you can check here. -
Stay safe.
If you or a member of your household are showing symptoms of coronavirus, stay at home and be sure to double-bag waste and store it for 72 hours before putting it in your general waste bin.
Managing household waste during coronavirus
Life isn’t quite normal at the moment and that is as true for local authorities as it is for everyone else. Local authorities across Scotland are working hard to provide the best possible service, with everyone’s health and safety remaining the top priority.
In some cases, waste and recycling services have been temporarily disrupted. These are necessary measures and disruptions will not be in place any longer than they need to be.
We all need to play our part in helping to slow the spread of coronavirus and supporting our local authorities. That means staying at home and respecting physical distancing guidelines. By following our simple and practical advice on how to manage your waste effectively, you can help to ease the pressure on our essential services.
And, as always, please follow public health advice to keep yourself, your community and Scotland safe.
Follow our simple and practical advice on how to manage your waste effectively to help ease the pressure on our essential services.
Tackling flytipping
With coronavirus posing a very real threat to all of us, now is not the time to try and dispose of additional waste or large items – so please keep them at home until recycling centres re-open.
Handling your waste safely
Read our step-by-step guide on how to manage waste if someone in your household is showing coronavirus symptoms. Find out more.

Support for waste managers
The waste management sector is facing challenges due to coronavirus. Support for waste managers and advice on environmental regulations is available.