Dundee City Centre Commercial Waste Project

Dundee City Council is changing its procedure for the way businesses put their trade waste containers out on public roads and footways from the 1st of March 2023. Initially this was a pilot project which ran from 1st March 2023, due to its success the project is now permanent as of 1st March 2024.

Dundee City Council supports commercial waste contractors operating in the city. However, there are now in excess of 1200 commercial waste bins often left out within the city centre. These are unsightly and can be the cause of excess waste, spillage, fly-tipping and vermin. The bins also present a hazard for pedestrians on the public footways.

This new approach has several key objectives:

To reduce the amount of trade waste containers on the public roads and footways and improve the appearance and cleanliness of the public realm in the city centre;
To encourage businesses to minimise waste and recycle more; and
To reduce public safety issues by removing tripping hazards, accessibility issues and bins blocking pavements/streets/lanes.

Are you a business in the city centre of Dundee?

All waste, including recyclable material, must be managed and stored on the business’ own premises and not on public roads and footways. View List of Public Roads and Footways

It is the responsibility of businesses to find a commercial waste contractor that has the necessary permit from the Council, to work with them to find an appropriate internal form of waste storage and suitable receptacles.

Food businesses must have adequate provision for the storage and disposal of food waste and other refuse. Food businesses will also need to demonstrate that food safety will not be compromised.

All waste (bins & bags) can only be placed, for collection on public roads and footways for no more than 90 minutes during the following allotted times - 7am to 11am and 4pm to 8pm. (Monday to Sunday)

If the waste is not collected within the specified time period by the waste contractor, the businesses must return the waste to their premises and rearrange the collection.

Waste should only be out for collection when the business is open and never left out overnight.

All waste (bins & bags) placed on public roads and footways for collection must display the trade waste contractor and business name.

Waste containers must be placed as near to the edge of a business’ property as possible, whilst ensuring there is clear pedestrian access. You must not block the pavement or road.