Message to re-use during European Waste Reduction Week

This week is the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) and this year The Highland Council’s Waste Aware Team are getting involved.  Staff will be on hand at various Recycling Centres across the region, raising the profile of the furniture re-use skips at the sites, and encouraging householders to think before they throw away, and consider whether an item can be reused.

This is the 5th year of EWWR and the aim of the week is to raise awareness of ways to minimise our waste, particularly by reusing items, and encourage change in everyday behaviour in order to reduce the amount of waste produced across Europe. Officially managed in Scotland by Zero Waste Scotland, the main theme this year is to re-use.

Many Recycling Centres in the Highlands have re-use skips, where good quality furniture is collected by local charities who assist people on low incomes, either by giving them items they could otherwise not afford, or by selling items in their shops to raise funds. Re-use items are collected by HomeAid in Caithness and Sutherland, Blythswood Care in Ross-shire, and New Start Highland in Inverness, Lochaber, Nairn and Badenoch.

The above Community Groups also offer free collections from households, please contact them directly for more information. New Start Highland can be contacted on 01463 715615, Home Aid on 01847 890696 and Blythswood on 01349 830777.

Even the smallest changes in daily lives can make a big difference in our local environment and help Scotland to move towards becoming a more sustainable and resource efficient society. Highland residents can do their bit by making full use of their nearest Recycling Centre for recycling many items such as glass, cardboard, light bulbs, batteries, garden waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Many sites also accept gas cylinders, cooking oil, engine oil, tyres, wood and plasterboard.

Please make sure you separate your materials, so that it’s easy for you to place them in the right container when you arrive. Operatives are on hand to assist you if you’re unsure what goes where. The current municipal recycling rate in the Highlands is 41% so we are on track to reach the target of 50% by the end of 2013 as set out in the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan. However this target will only be reached if everyone plays a part in helping reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

For further advice on waste minimisation and recycling, or to find out more about your nearest Recycling Centre telephone 01349 886603, email recycle@highland.gov.uk or visit http://www.highland.gov.uk/recycle.htm.