Recycling Doubles in the Highlands

Recycling in the Highlands has never been so good. In 2006 many new recycling facilities were introduced to make it easier for householders to recycle their household waste. 

Figures reveal that Highlanders are really taking the recycling message seriously and making an effort to use the new recycling facilities.   In less than a year the amount of waste recycled in The Highland Council area has more than doubled to 19.9%. This means we are well on target to reach the recycling rate of 21.7% by April 2007 set by the Scottish Executive.

The kerbside recycling service will be extended to include another 20,000 households in Inverness and Ross-shire.  This means that approximately 70% of households in Highland now have the opportunity to recycle at home.  The new service allows residents to separate food tins, drink cans, paper and garden waste for recycling and is contributing significantly to the amount of waste that is recycled in Highland.

Our 21 Recycling Centres now have a greater focus on recycling and minimising disposal to landfill and are proving extremely popular with householders wishing to recycle. A wide range of material for recycling is accepted at the sites which are open at convenient times.

2005 saw 10 new Recycling Points developed bringing the total to nearly 200 located throughout the Highlands.  The Recycling Points are situated to allow easy access such as at community halls and supermarket car parks.  The majority of Recycling Points now accept paper, cans and glass for recycling.

An Educator’s Pack was launched in September aimed at anyone interested in education about waste and recycling in the Highlands, including primary or secondary school teachers and other education workers.  The packs are devised to help teachers make young people more aware of what happens to their rubbish.

With the total amount of waste growing in Highland by 2% in 2005 (UK average 3%) there has never been a better time for everyone in Highland to play their part in helping to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill by following the 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Kyle Primary School received the first visit from the Council’s Waste Awareness Mascot called “Compost” in June.  Thomas Gardener, a pupil at the school won a competition to name the mascot and was presented  with a certificate and a cheque for £150 for the school.  “Compost” will make regular visits to schools with the Waste Awareness Team and help provide informative talks and activities to school children about recycling.  The loveable mascot also makes regular apperances at shows and community events events through Highland.

To help householders to compost at home, the Council together with WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) provided compost bins at a reduced rate of £10.00 per bin. Nearly 10,000 compost bins were distributed between June and October. Composting biodegradable waste such as kitchen and garden waste is an excellent way of improving our environment.

The Waste Management Unit

Telephone: 01349 868439
Email: recycle@highland.gov.uk