Argyll and Bute receives second bite of Strategic Waste Fund

The council yesterday received 22 million funding to cover sustainable waste management scheme up to 2020. It will see Argyll and Bute introduce community recycling schemes and extend the scope of existing schemes.

The council’s development and environment spokesperson Councillor Robin Banks said: “The award is the second such made to Argyll and Bute council and we are the only council in Scotland thus far to have benefited from two awards from the fund. We previously were funded to the extent of around 3 million annually to support our waste management PPP with Shanks Argyll and Bute.”

Argyll and Bute has a 25-year waste recycling and disposal contract with Shanks, and the announcement of the fund was made at one of the waste companies new composting sites in the area.

At the event, environment minister Ross Finnie said: “Because of its large, widely dispersed population, Argyll and Bute council faces a number of significant challenges in providing recycling and composting services to its citizens.”

Community
Two community recycling groups – Rejig (Recycle Islay and Jura Group) and Campbeltown Waste Watchers – are now set to benefit from the new grant as the council expands their kerbside collections.

Mr Finnie said: “The involvement of the area's community sector will assist in the successful provision of these services. By providing this substantial long-term funding we are helping Argyll and Bute council meet their targets for waste minimisation, recycling and reduction in landfill.”

Rejig collects of cans, textiles and plastics on Islay and Jura with the Scottish islands' council dealing with paper and cardboard on the islands. Campbeltown Waste Watchers then provides the onward transport of collected recyclable materials as well as providing kerbside collections over 5,000 houses.

Councillor Banks said: “The award is mainly to allow a focus on kerbside recycling in Argyll and Bute delivered either in partnership with the community sector, or directly by the council itself.”

In 2002/03, Argyll and Bute achieved a recycling and composting rate of 9.1% and it now hopes the funding will help deliver a 13% rate by 2005/06.