The Scottish Household Recycling Charter was developed by the Zero Waste Taskforce, a joint initiative between the Scottish Government, the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and Zero Waste Scotland.
It includes the recommendation of the adoption of a three-stream recycling system, which will include one container for glass, one for paper and card, and one for metals and plastics, together with existing food waste and residual collections. Over time it is hoped that councils will also adopt a consistent colour system for recycling containers.
Falkirk’s recycling system is closely aligned with the recommended Scottish Government system, with the council employing a commingled blue bin for recyclables including paper, plastic, metal and card and a black box for glass bottles and jars.
Collections
In 2014, the council oversaw a radical overhaul of its waste and recycling collection regime, with parts of the district moving from a fortnightly to a three-weekly collection schedule for residual waste, as well as changes to timings for recycling collections.
Councillors agreed to sign up to the charter at a meeting last month (see letsrecycle.com story).
The charter was officially launched in December (see letsrecycle.com story) and councils can now sign up with immediate effect. After signing the charter they will receive support from Zero Waste Scotland in developing plans to introduce the new system.
Charter
Commenting on the move Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, said: “Falkirk council should be commended in its approach to recycling – it’s recycling rate in 2014 was 54.3%, which was the seventh highest in Scotland, and as the first local authority to pledge its commitment to the Household Recycling Charter I am confident that figure will continue to rise in the coming years.
“This new consistent approach to recycling will help 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.”
The minister confirmed that he is now writing to councils across Scotland to urge them to sign up to the charter.
Councillor Craig Martin, leader of Falkik council, added: “Being the first local authority in Scotland to sign up to this Charter shows just how keen we are to make it a great success.
“By using this more consistent approach, it will reduce costs and allow residents to have a clear understanding of how important it is to recycle correctly.”
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