Changes to Wick recycling centre drop-offs
NEW arrangements are to be introduced at Wick recycling centre as Highland Council targets commercial use.
The move, approved by the community services committee, aims to improve the operation of recycling centres by eliminating illegal practice from commercial operators, increasing recycling and improving skip availability at peak times for householders.
From September 5, householders who wish to take their waste to the Wick recycling centre in a van, pick-up truck, sign-written vehicle and or a trailer will be required to complete a household waste declaration form before visiting the site or face being turned away.
The change follows a successful trial of the scheme at Alness and Dingwall recycling centres which has resulted in a significant drop in the amount of waste going through both sites. Inverness recycling centre, the largest in Highland, has also recently introduced the new system and has seen a drop in the number of vans using the site.
Councillor Allan Henderson, who chairs community services, said: “Recycling centres are provided for householder-generated waste only. Waste disposed of through the council’s network of recycling centres costs around £150 a ton in landfill tax and disposal charges so we have a duty to ensure that the costs of disposal of waste from businesses are borne by the waste producer and not council tax payers.”
The local authority recycling centres cannot accept waste that has arisen as part of a commercial activity. Commercial customers can continue to use their free recycling permit to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal tincans, garden waste, glass, textiles, wood and scrap metal but should bring the permit with them.
