Council sets new record for waste recycling
Paper from Fife Council paper recycling blue bins, awaiting sorting and baling at Smith Anderson's Fettykill Mill.
FIFE Council has set a new record for the percentage of its household and business waste being recycled.
The announcement that over 55 per cent (140,000 tonnes) of such waste was recycled in the financial year 2011/12 ensures the Council retains its position as one of the top performing councils in the UK.
Recycling this amount of waste also means the Council saved £7.8 million in landfill tax last year and enabled it to earn over £2 million from the sale of commodities like paper and plastics that Fifers recycled.
It also prevented the release of over 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Chris Ewing, senior manager for sustainability, said: “These figures are immensely encouraging. Once again Fifers are leading the way in ensuring that waste is converted into products that have value rather than being dumped in a hole in the ground.
“The added bonus is that this is saving us nearly £10 million per year.”
However, Chris conceded the Council couldn’t afford to be complacent.
“Although we’ve hit a new record, we still need to do more,” he said. “The Scottish Government has set even higher targets for recycling so we have to work towards achieving them.
“Just as important though is the opportunity to save more money and reduce carbon emissions further. Projects that we are working on just now, such as the roll out of a four-bin service to over 150,000 households will ensure that we hit 60 per cent recycling in a couple of years. That could save another £1.5 million per year compared to landfilling.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Light showers
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