Reminder to recycle in Lochaber

Most of these items are thrown in to people’s bins and end up on landfill sites. However, up to 60% of the waste that is thrown away can be recycled or composted.

The Highland Council’s Spokesman for Waste Management, Councillor Bill Fulton said: "This Christmas why not make a special effort to try and reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill by using the recycling facilities in Lochaber provided by The Highland Council?"

There are 17 Recycling Points throughout Lochaber including several new sites in Coal, Invergarry and Glenfinnan. All these sites have recently been upgraded to accept paper (including paper wrapping paper and Christmas cards), tins, cans and glass bottles and jars for recycling.

If you have a Kerbside Recycling collection from your property don’t forget to recycle your Christmas cards, paper wrapping paper using your recycling box after Christmas. Old real Christmas trees can also be put out in your brown bin but please make sure they are cut into easy to manage pieces and put in the bin.

Councillor Bill Fulton added: "Instead of throwing away all your vegetable and fruit peeling, start your own compost heap this Christmas and by this time next year, you will have free, nutritious compost to help make your garden flourish. Also last years old toys and unwanted gifts can be donated to your local charity shop rather than throwing them away as there is sure to be someone who will appreciate them."

A new Recycling Centre is expected to be opened in Fort William in February. This new recycling facility will allow householders to recycle many types of household waste including car batteries, cardboard, garden waste, white goods and wood.

For more information about waste minimisation and recycling or to find your nearest Recycling Point please call 01349 868439 or visit www.highland.gov.uk