 North
Ayrshire is to share in a massive £71 million investment that will transform
waste recycling across South West Scotland.
Almost a quarter of a million householders including 64,000 in North
Ayrshire are set to participate in recycling 66,000 tonnes of household
waste currently sent to landfill sites across Ayrshire and Dumfries and
Galloway.
Making the major announcement of additional funding from the national
Strategic Waste Fund at North Ayrshire Council's pulverisation plant at
Shewalton in Irvine, Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for the Environment and
MSP for Cunninghame North Allan Wilson said, "It is vital we improve our
recycling record."
"Each household in North Ayrshire currently produces on average more than a
tonne of waste each year.
Presently, over 92% is sent to landfill and only 8% is recycled and these
statistics have to change if
we are to achieve a sustainable system of waste management and disposal"
said Mr Wilson.
"This is a massive leap forward for waste recycling in this area and will
enable the local authority to
increase it s recycling and composting tonnage to around 20000 tonnes by
2006, representing a
recycling rate of 26%."
"The Council can now augment their existing waste collection and recycling
services to include a new blue bin for paper and textiles and, in
conjunction with the other Ayrshire local authorities and
Dumfries and Galloway Council, a fortnightly glass collection scheme " said
Mr Wilson.
"The glass will be colour separated at the kerbside into specially adapted
collection vehicles
providing a higher quality recycled product and an increased rate of
collection " said Mr Wilson.
"It is an excellent example of how joint working between local authorities
can deliver real
improvements in waste management locally and help improve Scotland s record
on waste recycling
nationally " said Mr Wilson.
"The local Authority partnership was established to develop long-term
sustainable markets for recycled materials and this system of collection
will ensure the highest possible quality of recycled glass material will be
available to put on the market."
"Two additional benefits arising from this joint working initiative include
running a consistent
education and awareness strategy that will ensure the same message is
delivered to all householders and the creation of new jobs" said Mr Wilson.
"Recycling creates more jobs per tonne of waste handled and the consortium
expects nearly 270 new jobs will be created as a result of this award of
additional funding," concluded Mr Wilson. |
