Edinburgh has a recycling rate of 15%, but it must reach 28% by 2006/07. So far, the city has 283 banks for brown, clear and green glass – but none of these are in densely populated areas, because of the noise caused by shattering glass. The council hopes the special noise-reducing banks, which are lined with sand-filled panels will allow them to install more recycling sites.
Important
Councillor Robert Cairns said: “Recycling of glass has an extremely important role to play in reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfill and it is essential that we make glass recycling banks available in numerous locations across the city.”
Three of the special banks, made by Taylor, were installed on a temporary site at Drumbrae Leisure Centre this week, until a permanent more residential location is found. The council said they cost no more than ones without noise-proofing – around 400 for a 1,280l container.
Environmental Health officers will monitor noise levels and residents' complaints at the new banks for at least three months. If successful, the council hopes to add about 240 of the banks to residential areas all over the city.
Fund
The plan for extra banks is part of a strategy to increase recycling which depends on Edinburgh's 28 million application to the Scottish Strategic Waste Fund. This would also see garden waste collections extended from 12,000 properties to 100,000, plastic sacks used for 125,000 paper collections replaced with boxes, cans and glass collected from 120,000 doorsteps, and paper banks installed for the city's 60,000 high-rise properties.
In addition, three CA sites will be redeveloped and three added if successful. And the council will introduce cardboard recycling collections for businesses from next year in a bid to combat the 300 tonnes of waste card fly-tipped each year.
Subscribe for free