Recycling points across Inverclyde are bursting at the seams following council cuts and the collapse of a local collection company

Bottle banks and blue-coloured waste bins at various locations throughout the district, including Greenock Tesco and Broomberry Drive in Gourock, are overflowing - much to the annoyance of residents.

The council axed its kerbside glass collection service earlier this year as part of a raft of savings measures with people now using community recycling points to dispose of empty jars and drinks containers.

The increased demand for bottle banks has been exacerbated by the demise of Greenlight Environment, the company contracted by the local authority to empty the bins.

Gourock councillor, Chris McEleny, praised residents for making the effort to cut down on waste but criticised the local authority for not planning ahead for the increased pressure on community recycling points.

Mr McEleny said: "Firstly, there's an obvious positive in that despite the council cutting the glass kerbside recycling service, people are clearly willing to continue to recycle.

"I'm in no doubt that's why we are seeing a massive surge in the amount of people willing to drop off glass at community recycling points.

"However, as a council we have been to slow to respond to the amount of people now choosing to recycle this way.

"If we don't respond to this new demand people will simply put their glass in their residual - black - bin and this will cost the council money.

"People across Inverclyde have been reporting that glass bins are overflowing.

"Not only is this not good on the eye, it's also dangerous and it will leave people asking why they're bothering.

"I will be pressing for pick-ups to become more regular and would thank everyone that's going to the effort to recycle, whilst encouraging them to continue to see so.

"This will hopefully see an improvement soon."

The withdrawal of kerbside glass collection meant the loss of six jobs and savings of around £430,000 over the next two years.

A Council spokesman said: “Excess glass will be removed from recycling points while arrangements are made to pick up the regular servicing of bins that Greenlight carried out.

“We would encourage local residents and businesses to continue to recycle glass by taking it to one of our recycling centres.”