GREEN and brown bins will not be emptied across East Lothian if proposed waste collection strikes go ahead.

Earlier this month, East Lothian Council was one of more than a dozen local authorities across Scotland to be notified by UNISON of intention to strike later this month.

Waste, refuse and street cleaning staff are set to walk out from next Wednesday (August 14) for nine days.

READ MORE: UNISON confirm plans for bin strike action in East Lothian

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council confirmed that the green and brown bins would not be emptied during the strikes, as it was council staff who carried out that task.

However, the local authority also has a recycling and food waste system, with items collected using specially designed vehicles, and it has confirmed that this will continue during the strikes.

Plastics, metals and cartons are collected in a white weighted bag while glass bottles and jars are collected in a green or black box. Paper and card are put in a blue box, while food waste goes in a kitchen caddy.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “East Lothian UNISON members employed in waste and street cleaning may be involved in industrial action from August 14-21 (inclusive) as part of a national dispute over pay.

“Negotiations are ongoing between COSLA, trade unions and Scottish Government with a view to agreeing a pay deal and resolving the dispute.

“In the meantime, we are assessing the practical impacts of a strike on our services and will give further details as soon as we can on what this means for households.

“Kerbside recycling services (including food waste) is provided by an outside contractor.

“It will be unaffected by any action and will run as normal.”

READ MORE: Residents face three-week waits for green bin uplifts

Earlier this year, the household waste service changed from a two-weekly to a three-weekly service, while a permit system was introduced for the collection of garden waste.