SIX months on from the rollout of Glasgow’s bulk uplift charge the council has declared the new system a success - despite almost constant calls for it be scrapped.

News of the charges was first announced in 2020 alongside the controversial three-weekly main door bin collection.

Despite a request service introduced in the latter part of the year, it wasn’t until July 2021 before the plan could be put into action after strict lockdown measures in the first half of the year.

The costs are £35 for up to 10 items or £35 for a large electrical item.

READ MORE: Glasgow's Men Matter Scotland hit with volunteer crisis

Unions and opposition councillors alike have called for the decision to be overturned time and time again and, as the current cost of living concerns loom, pleas have begun once more for the free pickups to resume.

Labour’s Paul Carey said: “Giving the fact we are one of worst cities in the UK for fly tipping, I implore this administration to re-think the bulk charges they are asking people on low incomes to pay.

“These people are already having to choose between heating their house or buying food.”

However, the local authority insists it has shown a 25% recycling tonnage increase which has been largely attributed to the bulk waste recycling.

The system is currently suspended yet again after the rapid spread of coronavirus prompted the council to make the “regrettable but necessary” move to put a halt to the service, which will be resumed on January 20.

A council spokesperson said: “The factual position is that the recycling rate for bulky waste has improved significantly.

READ MORE: Work continues on Glasgow's West End The Range store

“We are now recycling around 60% of the bulky items thrown away by city households and that is directly attributable to changes in the way this type of waste is dealt with.

“Residents are making greater use of our waste centres and most housing associations now provide an uplift service for their tenants, which has led to an improved separation of waste that makes it easier to process effectively.

“Changes to the bulk uplift service are part of this range of measures, which are intended to encourage greater reuse and recycling of materials that might otherwise be thrown away.

“The objective of the council’s cross-party supported Resources and Recycling Strategy is to reduce the amount of waste produced by the city as this will contribute to the city’s fight against climate change.

“Reuse and recycling extends the life of the materials that we consume, ensures value is retained in those materials and gives them a further use that helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the waste we produce.

“As a city there must a long term shift in how we deal with our waste if we are to make Glasgow as sustainable as possible and there is clear evidence of improvement.

“The amount of household waste recycled in Glasgow has gone up by 25%, the amount sent to landfilled has dropped by almost 40% and the carbon impact of the waste produced by the city has fallen, which is largely due to the way that bulky waste has been handled.

“But we are seeing signs that more and more people are exploring the increasingly informal network of options for reuse that will help reduce how much waste Glasgow produces overall.

“Our information is that fly-tipping reports are in keeping with previous levels but we are monitoring this situation very closely.”