Highlanders thanked for commitment to recycling during coronavirus crisis and urged to continue effort
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PEOPLE in the Highlands are being thanked for maintaining a commitment to recycling on one of the most challenging years in living memory.
Highland Council is supporting Recycle Week which starts on Monday and is now in its 11th year.
The theme this year is to thank the people of the Highlands for continuing to recycle through a challenging year.
Cllr Allan Henderson, chairman of the Highland Council’s communities and place committee, said: “I’m very pleased to hear that people have taken care to recycle during what is an exceptionally difficult year. By continuing to recycle, individuals and businesses are taking an active responsibility for protecting the environment which is more important now than ever as we face the real threat of climate change and scarce resources.
"The more we recycle the less waste ends up in landfill helping to reduce carbon emissions. I would like to sincerely thank everyone in Highland for their recycling efforts particularly through this difficult time and hope we can continue this positivity and strive to do even better in the coming year.”
Kerbside collection of blue recycling bins has continued as normal. Around 14,000 tonnes of recyclable material is collected from householders' blue bins each year in Highland and around 6000 tonnes of glass bottles and jars are collected from the regions recycling points.
Cllr Henderson praised the waste collection teams: “Our collection crews have delivered an excellent front-line service in the most difficult of circumstances, ensuring that essential refuse and recycling collections have continued as normal as possible. Highland communities have shown their appreciation and thanks with the many pictures, cards, thank you messages and gifts. It’s been a great morale boost to the crews to know the communities they serve have appreciated their efforts”.
Recycle week is a reminder to the public to keep recycling as the council works towards the Scottish target set for 2025 of a recycling rate of 75 per cent. Everyone is encouraged to make themselves more aware of how they can improve or increase their recycling.
The council asks: "Are you recycling from every room in your house? The bathroom is a haven for forgotten recyclables: shampoo bottles, aerosols, cardboard from toilet rolls can all be recycled in your blue bin. If anyone has any doubts as to what they can put in their blue bin, please look at the recycling guide on the Highland Council website. "
The waste awareness team is also happy to help with any questions about recycling and what can go in the blue recycling bin.
The majority of household waste recycling centres are now open and this is where people can take the recycling that can’t go in the blue bin.
Electrical equipment and appliances, wood, metal, light bulbs, household batteries, and garden waste can all be recycled. You can check the details for your local site on the council’s website before starting your journey to a household waste recycling centre.
A recycling guide can be found on the Highland Council website here
The waste aware team can be contacted by e-mail: recycle@highland.gov.uk
