Skye and Lochalsh Recycling Arrangements
Over the Christmas period it is estimated that we will produce approximately 30% more waste than usual. In the UK, 1 billion Christmas cards will be sent, 10 million turkeys will be sold 83 square kilometres of wrapping paper used, 7 and a half million trees bought, an extra 750 million bottles, glass containers and 500 million drink cans used.
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 improved recycling facilities in Skye & Lochalsh which are provided by The Highland Council?"
The Recycling Centre at the landfill site in Portree will be open as usual, Monday to Saturday from 8.15am-3.45pm apart from 26th December and 1st and 2nd January when the site will be closed all day. This is where you can take all your Christmas cards, paper wrapping paper (plastic & foil based paper cannot be recycled), tins, cans, glass bottles and jars for recycling.
There are also 13 Recycling Points throughout the Skye & Lochalsh area including several new sites at Carbost, Dornie, Shiel Bridge and Struan. 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.
The Council is also still looking for suitable sites for new Recycling Points in the Staffin, Skeabost & District areas. If you have any suggestions please contact Andy Hume on 01349 868614.
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."
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