Paisley Town Centre Commercial Waste Bins off Streets Policy
Renfrewshire Council · 27 May 2026
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 27 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 27 May 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Paisley Town Centre – Commercial Waste Bins off Street Policy ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council are exploring ways to enhance the town centre experience which can often be impacted by the sight of bulky, brightly coloured trade waste containers lining the streets, lanes, and pavements and this can be improved upon. 1.2 The Council is proposing updating how commercial waste is stored and collected within a defined area, the draft principles of which are provided at Appendix 1. There are a number of towns and cities throughout the country that operate a “bins off street policy” and the policy has been seen as a success in improving the environment. 1.3 The Council proposes to initiate a similar policy, based on the principles at Appendix 1, within Paisley Town Centre, that will prohibit bins to be stored in public areas, including pavements. Instead, businesses will be expected to store their bins within the curtilage of their own property. This is expected to have a positive visual impact on the town centre while making it a cleaner and more welcoming area to visit, encouraging footfall. 1.4 Whilst it is appreciated that it will be easier for some businesses than others, however, businesses will require to engage with their waste contractor to ensure that they can still maintain effective waste collection. This may require more regular collections of smaller bins. The council will be offering support to businesses to help them meet the requirements of the bins off street policy. 1.5 Officers will carry out extensive engagement with Paisley First and local businesses to discuss the specifics around the new system and ensure businesses are supported through this process.
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PUBLIC 1.6 There are enforcement powers available to the Council to require businesses to comply with the new Policy, however we will be undertaking a soft launch to allow businesses some time to transition to the new arrangements. Enforcement measures for failure to comply could include fixed penalty notices under Section 34 and 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the removal of obstructions under Section 59 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Officers will regularly patrol the area to ensure there is compliance and take enforcement as necessary in cognisance of Renfrewshire Council’s Integrated Enforcement Policy. 1.7 Regular updates on the implementation will be provided through future Service Update reports to the Board which will provide an opportunity to measure success and consider if other town and village locations should follow this model. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the principles of a town centre waste policy attached at Appendix 1 and the commencement of engagement with businesses in Paisley Town Centre and Paisley First on this. 3. Background 3.1 The appearance of Paisley Town Centre can often be spoiled by the sight of bulky, brightly coloured trade waste containers, often overflowing, lining the streets, lanes, and pavements. It is often the case that these bins are assumed to be the responsibility of the Council, however the Council is only one of a number of contractors who uplift commercial waste from the town centre. 3.2 All businesses have a duty of care as set out within the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The duty of care includes a requirement for waste to be stored safely and securely in suitable containers and also that waste is stored in a secure location with access limited to responsible persons. This is detailed within the Scottish Government Statutory Guidance document “Duty of care: code of practice for managing controlled waste”. A link to this document is included within the background papers sections of this report. 3.3 The purpose of this initiative will be to prohibit the storage of commercial waste containers on streets and footpaths within the boundaries shown on in Appendix 1.
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PUBLIC 3.4 The proposed approach is informed by experience of the design and implementation of ‘bins off-streets’ policies in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and St Andrews. These policies have been successful, and bin-free streets are now regarded as business-as-usual by the local authorities involved. 3.5 Officers have visited Dundee City Council to discuss the process they went through and the challenges that were faced. This will help to inform the process undertaken by Renfrewshire Council to ensure the commencement of the initiative is as smooth as possible. 3.6 If approved, Renfrewshire Council will begin engagement with all external partners impacted by the changes. This would include local businesses, Paisley First and waste collection contractors. It is anticipated that the initiative would have a “soft start” during September 2026 with full implementation of enforcement measures for non-compliance from 1st October 2026. 3.7 We will also engage with Keep Scotland Beautiful as other local authorities have done. Specifically, we are looking to arrange for Keep Scotland Beautiful to undertake an audit of cleanliness of Paisley Town Centre prior and post implementation that will provide empirical evidence on the impact of the initiative. 3.8 Following an extensive engagement process involving local businesses and representatives as well as local members and local Community Council, the initiative will be finalised and implemented. 4.0 Wider Town Centre Environment 4.1 Renfrewshire Council has and will be taking a number of other actions to improve the town centre appearance. Wider improvements to the environment in Paisley Town Centre also include new smart litter bins. 4.2 Neighbourhood Services have launched a pilot to introduce 13 solar-powered smart compactor litter bins in Paisley Town Centre. These bins hold significantly more waste than standard units and are equipped with sensors that monitor their fill levels. When nearing capacity, they automatically compact the waste to create additional space. Sensors have also been added to existing standard litter bins in the area to monitor usage and suitability, providing valuable data to support informed, evidence-based decision making. Once full, the bins send an alert to our Neighbourhood Services team so that a collection can be scheduled. 4.3 From early results, these bins and sensors have been operating very well and mirrors the performance that other councils have experienced when using them. This has resulted (in many cases) an over 50% reduction in the number of collections being required. Using this technology will help reduce unnecessary uplifts, lower carbon emissions, and allow staff to focus on other priority tasks such as mechanical sweeping and litter picking.
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PUBLIC 4.4 Following the initial rollout in a small part of Paisley Town Centre, the pilot has been expanded to cover most of the Business Improvement District. This includes 4 additional compactor bins on Paisley High Street, 2 of which will be positioned outside the entrance to the new Paisley Museum. Further sensors will also be installed to standard litter bins across the area to help maintain a clean, welcoming environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – - Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – The initiative will assist in making Paisley Town Centre visually more appealing resulting in economic benefits. - Working together to improve outcomes – Many council services will be involved in the initiative, and we will consult with businesses and waste collection contractors. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – not applicable.
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PUBLIC 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Climate Risk – None _________________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1 - Duty of care: code of practice for managing controlled waste (Duty of care: code of practice for managing controlled waste - gov.scot) ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Calum Keenan, Senior Environmental Health Officer Email: calum.keenan@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 – Paisley Town Centre – Bins off Street Policy Renfrewshire Council is updating its procedures for the way businesses present their trade waste containers onto public spaces (streets, paths etc). with the initiative having the following key objectives: reduce the number of trade waste containers on the streets and improve the appearance and cleanliness of the public realm in Paisley Town Centre; encourage businesses to minimise waste and recycle more; reduce public safety issues by removing trip hazards and improve accessibility for all. The initiative will prohibit the storage of commercial waste containers on streets and footpaths within the boundaries of the map below. This area largely follows the Paisley Town Centre Business Improvement District with minor amendments. Businesses must place their waste on the public footpath for collection between the hours of 7am to 10am or 5pm to 8pm. If waste is not collected as scheduled, it must be taken back inside the premises, and the business should contact its waste contractor to arrange collection. Waste must not be left on any street or footpath outwith these windows. All bins presented for collection will require to be clearly marked with the business name and address. Any bins without this information may be removed by the Council under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Costs incurred by the Council in removal and storage of bins will be recovered from the business and/or the waste collection company. As with all new initiatives the Council will take a graduated approach to secure compliance and work with businesses and the town centre waste contractors. Where trade waste bins are repeatedly found on the street or pavement outwith the stated times, the Council may take enforcement action, which could lead to fines of up to £1,000. If trade waste bags are left on the street outwith these times, the business responsible may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £500 for fly- tipping. Businesses are free to arrange a commercial waste collection with a registered waste carrier. In the circumstances a company is unable to provide a service, the Council will guarantee to provide a service to the business to ensure businesses can comply with the bins off the street policy.
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PUBLIC Paisley Town Centre Trade Waste Initiative Boundary