The Scottish Centre of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has welcomed the publication of the 6th Scottish Waste Digest which covers waste collection and recycling performance during 2004.Although the information is already out of date, the document published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency indicates that the country is on course to meet its waste recycling and landfill diversion targets set out in the EU Directive.
Karen Anderson, Chair of the Institution’s Scottish Centre, said that the report confirmed an improving trend year on year where waste recycling was considered.
‘We’re now seeing returns from the substantial investment made by Scotland’s local authorities after successful applications to the Strategic Waste Fund’ said Ms Anderson who is a senior waste manager with a Scottish Council ‘and it is clear that where householders are provided with kerbside recyclate collection services, the vast majority are participating to the full.’
The Report indicates that although waste recycling is increasing, there is also an underlying trend of increased household waste production and it is thought that this might be due to more accurate measurement of waste arisings.
The Institution in Scotland recognises that some of the biggest inroads on household waste recycling have been made when fortnightly collections of residual waste have been introduced and are aware that some of the detractors are forecasting dramatic increases of fly-tipping, rats and diseases.
Ms Anderson responded ‘sadly fly-tipping has been endemic in Scotland since the Institution was founded over a hundred years ago and our experience is that, if properly managed, fortnightly collections of residual waste usually maximise waste recycling performances. All local authorities will provide support and assistance to members of the public on managing their waste. In addition, they also provide free disposal to householders at community recycling centres (CA sites). It is often the case that ‘flytippers’ pass the legitimate disposal facilities to dump somewhere obscure as they seem unaware that there are free facilities available.’ She concluded ‘it will be worth waiting to see the 2005 and 2006 reports which will show that we’re now recycling over 25% of our household waste in Scotland with some Councils exceeding 35%.
