Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 22 November 2000 For Use: Immediately

Extra Government Recycling Cash Will Bring

Green Benefits For The Isles

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Environmental Services Committee today approved a range of recycling and composting proposals to go forward to the Scottish Executive's 'Strategic Waste Fund' for a cash boost of £29k.

Cllr. Donald Nicholson, Chairman of the Comhairle's Environmental Servicess Committee, said: "The initiatives we approved today to go forward for funding offer the best combination of measures for the most effective use of the available finances. The proposals would allow an earlier introduction of existing recycling plans, the introduction of new processing of plastic bottles and textiles at least 18 months earlier than was planned and an earlier extension of recycling collection to the Southern Isles.

The Scottish Executive has announced an additional £3m for recycling initiatives across Scotland. The Comhairle's share of the additional funding amounts to £29k. Local authorities are obliged to define how the extra money will be spent.

The proposals put forward by the Comhairle are defined under headings of materials collection, materials storage, materials handling and new process equipment.

Proposals include textile banks which would allow the early introduction of a new recycling stream (the means by which waste and recyclable materials are separated) and the purchase of colour coded plastic bags for the collection and tranport of recyclable materials from the Southern Isles.

Also proposed is the construction of storage bays for processed glass at Bennadrove and the provision of modified skips at the Rueval Landfill site for the storage and transportation of recyclable materials.

On the handling of materials, the new funding would allow a much earlier introduction of full processing capabilities at Bennadrove including the purchase of equipment that improves efficiency.

In addition, the new funding would allow for the introduction of a waste-processing separation process for all plastic, bringing forward such proposals by more than a year.

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