Public praised over new arrangements at Dingwall Recycling Centre
The Council’s waste and recycling team are praising householders for their cooperation in implementing new arrangements at Dingwall Recycling Centre which have been introduced to discourage the misuse of the site by commercial waste producers.
Householders using a van, pickup truck, sign written vehicle and/or a trailer at Dingwall Recycling Centre must first complete a household waste declaration form. The new procedures at the site, introduced on 18 May, are bedding in well and most people using these types of vehicle now arrive at the site with their completed form. Those turning up without the paperwork have been able to pick up a form from Dingwall Service Point or Leisure Centre. Forms can be downloaded from the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/6410/household_waste_declaration_form and are also available at Fortrose, Lochcarron, Kyle of Lochalsh and Broadford Service Points or requested via The Highland Council Service Centre on 01349 886603.
Colin Clark, Head of the Council’s Environmental and Regulatory Services said: “Following a pilot scheme we ran last year at Alness Recycling Centre the amount of waste sent to landfill was reduced by 450 tonnes. The new arrangements have been rolled out to the Dingwall site to ensure businesses and commercial waste producers are not using our Recycling Centres to dispose of their waste. When householders realise the cost, both of unsorted waste and of waste being illegally dumped by businesses, they understand the need for the new arrangements and we’d like to thank everyone for their co-operation.”
“Our Awareness staff have been on site in Dingwall to help implement the new arrangements and so far evidence of over a dozen businesses illegally using the site has been identified, some in cars, some genuinely not realising they are breaking the law by using the site.”
“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Highland Council Recycling Centres are provided for household waste only. All businesses, no matter what size, are required by law to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner and use of a Recycling Centre is classed as breaching Duty of Care under controlled waste legislation.”
Highland Council Commercial Customers can continue to use their free recycling permit to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal tin/cans, garden waste, glass, textiles, wood and scrap metal but should bring their permit with them.
Businesses requiring more information about their waste and the law can visit: http://www.netregs.org.uk/ or the Duty of Care- A Code of Practice pages at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ .
Waste Awareness staff are also helping site users maximise recycling and are checking black bags etc. for recyclables. Householders are advised to sort recyclables before arriving at the Recycling Centre to save time at the site. Every tonne of landfilled waste costs Highland Council taxpayers about £150. Last year landfill waste cost the Council £2.25 million from Recycling Centres alone.
Full details of the range of materials that can be recycled at Dingwall and other Recycling Centres can be found on The Highland Council website
For further information on recycling in The Highland Council area and on how to set up a contract for the collection of business waste visit: www.highland.gov.uk , email recycle@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 886603.