A 1.66 million pound proposal to enhance recycling services in the Highlands has been given the go-ahead by councillors. By the year 2010 the Highland Council intends to raise its rate of recycling from thirty per cent to forty per cent.
Among these new developments is a scheme to introduce to the rural areas of the Highlands a doorstep recycling service. Four Waste Awareness Officers will also be employed and recycling facilities for plastic bottles will be availed in all recycling sites throughout the region.
Councillor John Laing, the Chairman of Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee hailed the move by the councillors saying that the money they had set aside for recycling indicated the dedication of the administration towards attaining a rate of recycling of forty per cent by the year 2010. Councillor Laing further added that he hoped all the residents would exploit the new services which would ensure that recycling was appealing and as hassle-free as possible.
Currently the bi-weekly doorstep collection of recyclable waste material was restricted to households residing in the urban parts of the Highlands. The Council does not outsource this collection service but runs it itself.
Now the Highlands Council will purchase five new waste collection trucks besides hiring thirteen additional staff to offer doorstep collection of plastic, paper, cards and cans in rural parts around Caithness, Skye, Easter Ross, Inverness and Lochaber. This doorstep collection service in the rural areas will be offered once a month.
Recycling facilities for plastic bottles which were once tried in Tain and Dingwall will also be set up at recycling sites in Thurso, Wick, Alness, Fort William, Inverness, Granish and Nairn.
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