North householders who put unsuitable refuse in the blue recycling bins could find their bins left un-emptied.
Plastics bags and glass are the most common rogue items found where they shouldn’t be.
But now the council is getting tough with “offenders”, and binmen will put stickers on blue bins as a warning to residents.
Householders who find stickers on their bins should remove the offending items and put the bins back out at the next collection date.
The bins can contain paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, food tins and drink cans, as long as they are loose and not in bags.
Glass bottles and jars are not allowed.
Chairman of Highland Council’s community services committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie said: “If there is too much contamination in the loads, there is a risk of whole loads being rejected.
“We obviously want to avoid this at all costs so we do ask that householders follow the instructions for using the bins.”
He added: “Residents in Highland are currently recycling 45% of their waste which is excellent and we are seeing a steady rise each year so please carry on the good work.”
