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Scottish Borders bin collection dates
- Add your dates to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar
- Get an email the evening before
- Print an A4 sheet for the fridge
Bins in Scottish Borders
These are the containers used in Scottish Borders. Which ones a home has depends on its address.
Recycling
Blue-lidded recycling bin
Container details
The container pictures and words are Scottish Borders Council's own. This may not be every container it uses.
Greyed-out bin icons are placeholders where the container type or colour is not confirmed.
- Recycling: Households using recycling bins rather than bags
Container descriptions checked 19 September 2026; list of collections built from Scottish Borders Council's own service names 22 September 2026.
Order, book and apply
- What goes in your household recycling bin or bagScottish Borders Council
- When and where to put your bins outScottish Borders Council
- Food waste collectionsScottish Borders Council
- Get rid of a bulky itemScottish Borders Council
- Recycling centres and tipsScottish Borders Council
Links checked 19 September 2026.
Missed bin or a problem
Tell Scottish Borders Council first - it can only fix what it knows about.
Missed-bin guidance checked 20 September 2026.
- Report a missed binA bin that wasn't emptied on the day.
- Make a complaint to Scottish Borders CouncilIf reporting it didn't fix it.
Complaint didn't work either? Ask your councillors
If you've already reported the problem and used the council's complaints process, your unitary authority councillors can take up a repeated problem or a wider service failure. Find and write to my unitary authority councillors on Scottish Borders Council.
WriteToThem is an independent mySociety service. You'll enter your postcode there before choosing who to contact.
Complaint routes verified 6 September 2026.
Local bins and recycling news
AI-generated summary, reviewed before publication. Checked 18 September 2026.
Scottish Borders councillors questioned why a discontinued bin-information app was still sending reminders in January 2026. The council had scrapped SBC Recycles in November 2025 in favour of cheaper web-based tools, but a software-provider problem had kept the app running.
Councillor Marshall Douglas raised the issue and pointed out that people could still download it from app stores. Council leader Euan Jardine said officers were pursuing the provider and advised residents to use the updated online tools for accurate information. He said the availability of the old app would be raised with IT staff.
- Scrapped Borders waste management app still sending out messages - Midlothian View — www.midlothianview.com