New arrangements for householders at Dingwall Recycling Centre as Council targets commercial use

From 18th May householders who wish to bring their waste to Dingwall recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, sign written vehicle and/or a trailer will be required to complete a Household Waste Declaration form before visiting the site or face being turned away.  

The move, approved by Community Services Committee in November last year, aims to improve the operation of Recycling Centres by driving down waste from commercial operators, increasing recycling and improving skip availability at peak times for householders.  

The change for Dingwall Recycling Centre follows the introduction of a pilot scheme at Alness last May and will be rolled out to other key Recycling Centres in The Highland Council area over the coming months.  

Colin Clark, The Council’s Head of Environmental and Regulatory Services said: “These facilities are provided for householder generated waste only. Waste disposed of through the Council’s network of Recycling Centres costs around £150 a tonne in landfill tax and disposal charges so we have duty to ensure that the costs of disposal of waste from businesses are borne by the waste producer and not Council tax payers.”  

He added: “We realise that some householders do make use of  vans, pickups, sign written vehicles and trailers for disposal of their own personal waste but from 18th May those arriving at the Dingwall site, as well as Alness, must first complete a Household Waste Declaration form and bring it with them or they will be refused entry.”

Householders planning to visit Dingwall Recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, or a sign written vehicle or trailer can pick up a form at Service Points in Dingwall, Fortrose, Muir of Ord, Lochcarron, Kyle of Lochalsh and Broadford or from Dingwall Leisure Centre. They can also download a form at http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/6410/household_waste_declaration_form or request one via The Highland Council Service Centre on 01349 886603.  

Commercial Customers can continue to use their free recycling permit to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal tin/cans, garden waste, glass, textiles, wood and scrap metal but should bring their permit with them.  

The Council will also be conducting checks on items brought to the Recycling Centre, including bagged waste, to ensure that householders are separating out recyclables and only placing non-recyclable waste in landfill skips.  

For further information about recycling in The Highland Council area visit: http://www.highland.gov.uk/ , email recycle@highland.gov.uk  or call 01349 886603.