Councillor praises residents for success of new refuse and recycling collections
The introduction of the new refuse and recycling collection service to Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey at the beginning of July has run very smoothly, thanks in large part to the positive attitude of householders.
The changes saw the introduction of a fortnightly recycling collection for paper, cardboard, food tins, drink cans and plastic bottles, alternating with a fortnightly refuse collection.
Residents previously with blue boxes for paper and tin cans have been able to recycle a greater range of materials using their new blue bins whilst those who already had blue recycling bins collected on a four week cycle, have benefited from more frequent collections of these. There has been little contamination of the recycling bins with the wrong material; neither has there been a big increase in excess waste from the move to fortnightly refuse collections.
Where the new collections have been introduced – as they already have in Skye and Lochalsh, Caithness and Lochaber - figures have shown a significant increased in the amount recyclable material collected and corresponding reductions in the amount of material sent to landfill. In addition to the environmental benefits, every tonne of waste which is diverted from landfill saves the Council £56 on the landfill tax.
Councillor Stuart Black praised householders for the way that they have adjusted to the new collections: “I would like to thank the residents of Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey for their overall positive response to the new service. The only problem I am aware of is some confusion amongst over-enthusiastic recyclers about the range of plastic packaging accepted. The simple rule for the present is plastic bottles only!”
Recycling collections have also been offered for the first time to the Council’s commercial customers in the area.
The new collections are due to be introduced to the whole Highland Council area over the coming year. In October the new service will be extended to Ross and Cromarty and some parts of Wester Ross.
Chair of the TEC services committee, Councillor John Laing, said: “The alternate weekly refuse and recycling collections are an important part of the Council’s effort to meet the Scottish Government’s long term targets to recycle 70% of all waste by 2025 – we are presently recycling about 35%. The majority of Scotland’s local authorities now operate an alternative weekly collection service.”
Households with redundant blue boxes are being encouraged use these to take glass bottles and jars to Recycling Points and Centres. National figures show that there is still a huge amount of glass that could be recycled if householders made better use of the facilities provided by local authorities.
The Highland Council’s Waste Awareness Team can offer advice on reducing waste and increasing recycling to both householders and businesses and can be contacted on 01349 886603.