"Clackmannanshire’s results are an example of just how much can be achieved. They should be proud of their achievements and the rest of us encouraged to make an ever-more concerted attempt to reduce, re-use and recycle our own waste"
Calum MacDonald, SEPA’s Director of Environmental and Organisational Strategy
Scotland's smallest local authority is seen to be leading the way in the recycling field, according to data released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Clackmannanshire has excelled, achieving a remarkable recycling/composting figure of 41.3%. Well above the Scottish Minister’s target of 25%.
The statistics for the period July 2005 to June 2006 reveal a total of 3,393,354 tonnes of municipal solid waste was produced in Scotland of which 25.3% was recycled or composted.
The majority of local authorities were on track to reach the Scottish Ministers targets of 25% recycling and composting rates by the end of 2006 and most have also already surpassed this target, according to SEPA.
SEPA’s Director of Environmental and Organisational Strategy, Calum MacDonald said:
“It’s encouraging to see that people clearly recognise how important it is that we deal with our waste more sustainably, and are taking action to do something about it. This has significant benefits for our environment.
“This upward trend wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of local authorities and the public. Clackmannanshire’s results are an example of just how much can be achieved. They should be proud of their achievements and the rest of us encouraged to make an ever-more concerted attempt to reduce, re-use and recycle our own waste.”
Further information
The full results are available on SEPA’s website at
http://www.sepa.org.uk/nws/data/returns.htm.
Local authorities exceeding the 25% target are:
Angus (31%), Argyll & Bute (29%), Clackmannanshire (41.3%), Dundee (30.5%), East Ayrshire (30.2%), East Dunbartonshire (26.9%), East Lothian (29.9%), East Renfrewshire (30.3%), Falkirk (31.1%), Fife (29.8%), Midlothian (25.1%), Moray (34.2%), North Ayrshire (26.1%), Perth & Kinross (33.3%), Renfrewshire (25.8%), South Ayrshire (37.4%), South Lanarkshire (34.1%), Stirling (34.2%), West Lothian (28.3%)
Those currently under target, though some should exceed the target by the end of the year:
The Shetland Islands (10 %), Dumfries & Galloway (10.7 %), Eilean Siar (11.7%), Glasgow (16 %), Aberdeenshire (16.1 %), Aberdeen (19.2 %), Inverclyde (19.8%), West Dunbartonshire (23 %), Scottish Borders (21 %), Highland (21.8); Edinburgh (22.6 %), Orkney (24.2 %) and North Lanarkshire (24.7 %).
Earlier on this year SEPA published a guide to support the National Waste Prevention Plan. The guide aims to help local communities tackle the issue of household waste prevention. The Waste Prevention Guide is available online at:
ww.sepa.org.uk/pdf/nws/prevention/wpguide/Waste_Prevention_Guide.pdf