Highland Recycling centre restrictions aim to prevent commercial misuse
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VEHICLE restrictions are to be introduced at Highland Council recycling centres including Wick and Thurso in a bid to stop the facilities being misused by commercial enterprises.
From February 3, the council will be introducing changes at its household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) throughout the Highland area, with phase one focusing on vehicle restrictions. Phase two will place restrictions on the amount of construction and demolition waste permitted into the sites and will be implemented later in the year.
The measures were agreed by the local authority's environment, development and infrastructure committee to help the council save around £300,000 over two years.
Carron McDiarmid, executive chief officer communities and place, said: “The council operates 21 HWRCs throughout the Highlands providing opportunities for householders to recycle a wide range of materials including cardboard, some plastics, textiles, garden waste, scrap metal, wood, glass and electrical appliances.
"However, in Highland we manage 22 per cent more waste per person than the Scottish average. In addition, the recycling centres have experienced a 50 per cent increase in waste in the past decade, costing up to £2.4 million in handling and treatment costs.
“Restrictions already apply at HWRCs regarding the disposal of commercial waste and the introduction of the new restrictions aims to maximise the availability of facilities to householders while preventing commercial misuse.”
From Monday, February 3, the following vehicles will not be permitted entry to HWRCs with any waste:
- Trailers with more than one axle or greater than 2.4 metres (eight feet) in length
- Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes or greater
- Tippers and flat-bed trucks of any weight.
- Plant vehicles.
Leaflets detailing the vehicle restrictions will be available from all centres and further information about the changes will be available through social media, newspapers and the council's website.
Alternative methods for managing household waste include using the council’s chargeable bulky uplift service. To coincide with the changes at HWRCs, the range of items available for collection has been expanded to include bathroom and sanitary ware, kitchen cabinets, car tyres and/or rims, bicycles, window frames and doors (without glass), gates, lawnmowers and garden tools. The charge for this service is £22.69 for up to three items and £45.37 for four to six items. To book a bulky uplift visit www.highland.gov.uk/request or call 01349 886603.
In Caithness, Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Badenoch and Strathspey, the council operates transfer stations and/or landfill sites where householders and businesses can pay to deliver waste directly.
Fly tipping is monitored across the region and will continue to be assessed once the changes are introduced, and any remedial action will be taken by the council’s compliance team.
For more information visit www/highland.gov.uk/recycle, email recycle@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 886603.
