Plans to increase recycling
Next year will see fairly major changes to waste and recycling collections in the Borders.
Plans to move to fortnightly bin collections have been approved and the changes will be brought in during the course of 2010.
The plans have been carefully researched and are part of changes that the Council must make in order to avoid massive fines for sending too much waste to landfill.
In order to meet these tough Government targets, the Council will be working closely with Borders residents in a huge joint effort to drive up recycling and reduce waste.
Councils must be recycling 40 per cent of waste by 2010, 50 per cent by 2013, 60 per cent by 2020 and then 70 per cent by 2025. In addition, we must reduce the amount going to landfill or face fines and taxes of about £45 million – which could leave Scottish Borders Council facing financial ruin.
There are sound reasons for these targets. All councils must reduce their carbon footprints to protect the environment for generations to come.
So, we must all take action and it is essential that Borders residents understand the need to meet these targets and work together to achieve them.
Research carried out earlier this year has shown that only 16 per cent of households in the Borders present a general waste bin that is more than half full every week. Many households already put out their grey-lidded bin just once a fortnight. However a range of options, including larger bins, will be made available for families who may struggle with the changes. Recycling collections will happen in the weeks between general waste collections.
Wheeled recycling bins will be delivered to suitable properties (homes with adequate outside storage space) between January and March.
Householders will also be offered a reusable sack for storing recycling materials in the home before taking outside to the bin. Detailed information about the new scheme will be provided with the bins when they are delivered.
Those households that do not receive a recycling wheeled bin early next year will receive a top-up delivery of recycling sacks instead. Further suitability surveys will be carried out for these second phase properties, which may require further contact with householders to discuss options. More detailed information will also be provided along with recycling sack deliveries.
The Council will continue to provide information to make these changes as smooth as possible.
It is also hoped the changes will be a big success, as councils that have already introduced similar collection arrangements have seen a massive leap in recycling rates as well as a drop in the amount of waste going to landfill.
Information, calendars and advice will be issued well in advance of the move to alternate week collections.
A date has not yet been set for this.
In addition to these changes, the Council is continuing to investigate a waste treatment solution for the Borders, which will further reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Here’s what will happen in 2010 /
- Households will receive a free wheeled bin for recycling collections. The bins will replace recycling bags in all suitable properties, taking away the cost of providing sacks every year. This will also improve safety for collection crews, reducing the risk of cuts on sharp objects such as aluminium cans. The cost of these bins will be subsidised by Government funding.
- Alternate week waste collections will be introduced – general waste one week and recycling and garden waste (where this is collected) the next.
- Garden waste collections may be provided over the whole year – not just spring to autumn.
- Kerbside recycling collections will be expanded to include textiles to divert more from landfill.
- Community Recycling Centres will be further improved – with particular emphasis on facilities for businesses.
For more information
Further information will be provided in the new year. In the meantime,any questions should be directed to 0300 100 1800 or by email to reducereuserecycle@scotborders.gov.uk