The Charter, a joint initiative by Scottish Government and COSLA Zero Waste Taskforce, introduces a three-stream recycling system. This uses one container for glass, one container for paper and card, and one for metals and plastics, along with the existing food waste and residual collections. The long-term intention of the scheme is to also eventually move to a common colour system.
Lorna Richardson, policy manager at COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) said the organisation was pleased with the ‘really good progress’ and is working with local authorities on the charter process.
According to COSLA, so far eight councils have signed up and 10 are progressing through, although Ms Richardson commented: “I am expecting all local authorities to sign up – however, the key to change can’t take place overnight.”
Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said at the time of the Charter’s launch: “This new consistent approach will sweep away the confusion that we all face every time we come across yet another difficult recycling system.
“It will maximise the quantity and quality of materials captured, and allow us to give consistent national messages about what people should do with their recycling, wherever they are in Scotland.”
Falkirk
Falkirk was the first council to sign up and other authorities committed to the scheme include East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and Inverclyde.
Robin Baird, waste strategy co-ordinator at Falkirk council, said: “We could see the benefit in working in partnership and wanted to see where that could take it and by signing the charter – it was just about showing our commitment.”
He added: “Agreeing the commitment is work towards the common aim – if everyone has the intention to work towards that one common aim then it [recycling] should be better.”
Mr Baird said the council are currently working on the transition plan to look at their options and work out the benefits.
However, Mr Baird commented: “I would certainly say if it is not going to help recycling, nobody is going to change anything – the proof is in the pudding.”
Support
In March, Midlothian council announced its involvement with the Charter. Clare Neely, marketing and services development officer in the waste team told letsrecycle.com: “We felt it was something we need to support.
“As Midlothian council we wanted to work with other local authorities in Scotland to make it easier for all households across Scotland to recycle their waste and hopefully increase recycling across Midlothian.”
Glasgow and Edinburgh say they are considering their options in relation to the charter and both are working to increase their recycling rates.
A Glasgow city council spokeswoman commented: “Recycling has always been a challenge for Glasgow, largely due to the nature of its housing stock. However, we have dramatically increased the number of recycling collections in the city and the range of materials we collect and urge people to make as much use of those facilities as they can.”
Statistics from 2014 show the city had a recycling rate of 25.8% and a landfill rate of 73.4% and the authority hopes that “the development of new residual waste treatment services (i.e the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre) will further boost the amount we recycle and end the city’s reliance on landfill.”
Edinburgh, the second biggest council in Scotland, are reviewing their waste strategy during 2016/17 but are anticipating a recycling rate of 41.7% for 2015/16.
Inverclyde
Inverclyde council, who hold Scotland’s best recycling performance signed up last month hoping to improve on their 56.8% recycling rate achieved in 2014.
Inverclyde council’s environment and regeneration convener Councillor Michael McCormick said: “Inverclyde’s recycling record is second-to-none in Scotland but we are continually looking at how we can improve. Signing up to the charter will allow us to learn the lessons from other parts of the country and improve on our already impressive performance.”
Cllr McCormick added: “It is vital that we work together – both as a local authority and with local householders – to promote the value in recycling and the benefits it brings to our local communities.”
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