A NEW suite of digital tools designed to help Borderers recycle has been launched. 

The Scottish Borders Recycles online waste and recycling portal and accompanying app are being introduced as part of a one-year trial.

The council says it will allow users to search which bin items go in, sign up for collection reminders and get updates on disruption.

Borderers will also be able to play the ‘Recycling Challenge’ game and improve their recycling knowledge, according to the local authority.

Ross Sharp-Dent, waste & passenger transport manager at Scottish Borders Council, said: “In an effort to increase our recycling levels and reduce any unnecessary waste, bringing all the most important and relevant waste and recycling information together in one digital toolkit will make it easier for Borderers to stay on top of their collections and ensure the right things are going into the right bins.

“Research has shown that 75 per cent of what goes in the average general waste bin could be recycled. 

“Through this one-year trial we can help to lower this number by educating and informing residents around what can and cannot be recycled whilst helping them manage their collections more efficiently.” 

The introduction of the toolkit follows on from a 2022 Borders council survey where 53 per cent of respondents said they had thrown items in their general waste bin because they were unsure if it could be recycled.

“We want to build on our reputation as being one of the leading councils in Scotland for recycling rates and the new digital tools launched today will help us along on that journey,” added Mr Sharp-Dent.

The in-app feature, once available, will also allow residents to receive notifications on missed and rescheduled collections.

The recycling checking tool allows residents to search for hundreds of different products to help identify where and how items and packaging should be disposed of.

A mobile app for both Apple and Android devices will be available to download in the coming weeks.