Highland Council to lead the way in reducing waste plastic impact

The Highland Council has today agreed to lead the way in reducing the impact of plastic on our vast coastline.

Highland Council has a coastline of almost 4,500 km and is the local authority area with the longest coastline in the UK.

Members have agreed to sign up to the aspiration to have a plastic free coast line by reducing plastic usage and promoting environmental awareness.

Chair of Environment, Development and Infrastructure Councillor Allan Henderson said: “We will do all that we can to reduce plastic usage ourselves, by the Council and within Highland.

“Plastics, particularly some kinds, can take thousands of years to break down and some, such as styrofoam cups, will be there for all time. The waste washing up on our beaches from the sea is an horrendous problem.

“Plastics and litter on our beaches reflects the huge problem in our oceans and I would encourage everyone to pick up a few pieces of litter when visiting our beaches and we will do our utmost as a Council to support these actions which will help to protect our environment and prevent further damage in the future.

“Environmental awareness of this increasing and worldwide issue is, I hope, growing, but we will do our bit in promoting further awareness in our schools, to our residents and to visitors to the Highlands. This is something in which everyone can, and has a responsibility to, do their bit.”

A policy report will be brought back to the Committee as part of the Council’s overall waste strategy.

Motions put forward by Cllr Liz Macdonald and Cllrs Craig Fraser, Maxine Smith, Bill Boyd, Derek Louden, Allan Henderson, Trish Robertson and Jimmy Gray and by Cllrs Isobel Mackenzie and Andrew Jarvie received cross party support.