Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 11 December 2001 For Use: Immediately

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School Pilots Community Recycling Initiative

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has launched a pilot project in partnership with Sgoil nan Loch to develop school and community recycling of drinks cans and dry paper at the school. The project targets recyclable materials produced by Sgoil nan Loch and the local community.

Chairman of Environmental Services, Cllr. Angus Nicolson, said: “It is a fact that it uses twenty times more energy to make an aluminium can from aluminium ore compared to using recycled aluminium cans. To provide sustainable recycling in the Western Isles it is essential to develop participation in recycling at school and community level. It is vital that we get young people involved as they are the key to making recycling a success over future years but we also need the support of the wider community. We all have a responsibility to protect the environment and in the long run this sort of scheme will benefit everyone in the community.”

Materials collected from within the school, collected by using two banks for paper and two banks for cans end up in colour-coded bags, blue for paper and yellow for cans. The collected recyclates are then taken to a small, enclosed skip for storage.

To allow the local community to participate in this project, a system has been set up to allow cans and paper to be brought to the school in colour-coded plastic bags. The bags can be brought to the school on a Friday, and stored in a lockable unit until it is ready for collection.

All clean, dry paper is shredded and baled for use as animal bedding whilst the cans are sorted into steel or aluminium, then baled and shipped to the mainland for recycling when there is enough to make up a viable load.

Chairman of Education, Cllr. Norman L. Macdonald said: “This is the first time this type of project has been attempted in the Western Isles and if it proves to be a success, the scheme could be extended to other schools. “

Head Teacher of Sgoil nan Loch, Andrew Reeves said: “This is an excellent scheme and the school is delighted to be taking part. There is an excellent lesson for young people in recycling to protect the environment whilst at the same time providing benefit for our community and society as a whole”.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk