The controversial introduction of a charge to have garden waste bins uplifted has been taken up by 24,300.
Officials yesterday reminded green-fingered enthusiasts that it is not too late to apply, although registration for the first uplift on July 3 has passed.
Residents wanting to continue with the service are now charged an annual £30 fee for each brown bin. They will receive stickers to alert crews to those within the scheme.
A late rush and technical problems last month at one stage prevented some people from signing up.
Addressing members of the new Places committee, meeting in Inverness yesterday, department director William Gilfillan celebrated the interest, saying it took the council beyond the budget savings target set by members.
“It does, however, mean that those who have not yet procured (a permit) can still do so,” he said.
“They can phone up, pay the £30 and within a fortnight we can get the stickers out to them.
“The only condition associated with this is that they may not get it uplifted on July 3 but they’ll get it uplifted the second time round, so it’s really good news.”
Committee chairman Allan Henderson has praised householders for their continued support for recycling and reducing waste that would otherwise go to landfill.
The new charged service will also help the local authority save several hundred thousand pounds to protect council jobs and other vital services.
The committee, meanwhile, agreed an increase in pre-application planning fees from next month. (JUL)
Highland is among a small number of councils that charge for such expertise.
The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the entire system of planning fees with the intention of achieving uniformity across the country.
In the meantime, Highland is to increase the cost of its pre-application advice by 10%. The fee for “major” pre-application advice will double – to £2,500.