Scotland making “significant progress” in recycling

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported this week that 24.4% of municipal waste in Scotland was recycled or composted in 2005/06, compared to 17.3% the year before.

Clackmannanshire, which stormed to the top of the league table last year (see letsrecycle.com story) remains the best authority in Scotland for recycling for the second year running.

The authority, situated north of Edinburgh, achieved a 40.2% recycling rate over the financial year 2005/06.

Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway came bottom of the league table with 10.4% – but still managed to double its 5.6% recycling and composting rate for 2004/05.

Commenting on the results at the Eventful Scotland waste management conference in Glasgow, Mr Finnie said: “These latest recycling figures are very encouraging and show we remain well on track t meeting our target. All councils now have double-digit recycling rates and I would like to thank them for the work that has gone into providing recycling facilities.”

He added: “The figures demonstrate we are learning to love within our environmental means.”

SEPA
The recycling results were welcomed by SEPA's chief executive, Calum MacDonald.

Mr McDonald said: “The figures highlight just how important it is for people to think about what happens to their waste, which is encouraging news. A successful Scotland needs a healthy economy and a healthy society. Both depend on having a healthy environment.”

Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire council, which came top, operates an alternate weekly collection of residual waste one week and green waste and cardboard the next. It also provides weekly collections of blue boxes for cans, paper, plastic bottles and textiles.

The council's integrated waste manager, Graeme Cunningham, offered reasons for his council's success.

He said: “Great communication with householders is a big part of what we do. Councillors need to listen and householders need to do their part – its about how the whole recycling system fits together.”

Action
However, despite Scotland's ministers and local authorities welcoming the recycling results, Mr Finnie called for more action to tackle recycling.

He said: “I want to see further improvements and I'll continue to work closely with councils and others to give people across Scotland the opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle.”

Scottish municipal recycling and composting rates 2005/06