Thursday August 27th 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
A Glasgow trade union convenor is urging all housing associations across the city to pay for disposing bulky waste in a bid to raise money for the local council.
GMB Chris Mitchell says that housing associations are not charged for bringing bulk uplifts to Shieldhall and Dawsholm recycling centres unlike other businesses.
Mr Mitchell explains that in order to access these depots, vans, lorries, trailers or other vehicles must cross a “weighbridge” to determine how much they should be charged.
He claims that if housing associations were charged, there would be more revenue for the council which could be invested in council services and jobs.
Glasgow City Council says that recycling centres are free to use for the public and that bulk uplift requests start at £5 per item.
Chris Mitchell said: “The council made a decision to allow the housing associations to tip for free across the council’s weigh bridges where people or businesses bring in bulk items, you have to pay a charge.
“The housing associations will charge a levy to the punters that stay the accommodation for their back courts and closes to be cleaned up and take the bulk uplift away.
“For me housing associations are a business because they charge their tenants rent and they charge a levy.
“We are now sitting here talking about people going into detriment because of job evaluation, services are in decline, the council is trying to collect as much revenue as possible and that revenue is sitting right in front of them.
“As soon as the bulk uplifts from housing association properties come across that weighbridge there should be a charge.
“You are talking about 20 or 30 vans a day from different housing associations across Glasgow that use Shieldhall and Dawsholm recycling centres.
“I believe if the housing association were charged that money could go back into the service and create more employment, better facilities, better equipment and better wages especially for people who are going to be in detriment through the job evaluation scheme.
“Local politicians fear that if they pursue this more money will be added onto the rent. I still think that even if the council doesn’t charge housing associations the full amount they should still be charged something.
“At the end of the day this is about partnership working.”
A city council spokesman advised that household waste and recycling centres are free for use by Glasgow residents and housing associations are permitted access to the council’s transfer stations to bring in bulky waste generated by their tenants free of charge.
He said: “Housing associations and their sub-contractors are required to use a booking system to access our waste centres and this helps us to control the waste that is brought in for disposal.
“We are working with housing associations to ensure the register of sub-contractors they use is fully up-to-date and those contractors are aware of the booking-in process.
“We have asked housing associations to ensure they bring fully loaded vehicles to our waste centres as this helps to minimise the amount of journeys they are required to make.
“Housing associations supporting the city’s waste management system is helping to ensure communities are kept in good condition.
“Bulky waste left in bin courts that is removed by housing associations ensures our refuse collection staff gain access to household bins and this helps to minimise missed bin collections.
“All residents can request a bulky waste uplift from just £5 per item.
“Conditions of access to our waste centres for various stakeholders are reviewed regularly.”
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