Clarity call on plan for recycle sites
Clarity has been sought from the Scottish Government over plans for the re-opening of recycling centres.
While waste disposal teams in the Stirling area have been widely praised for their efforts in still providing a reduced service during the Covid19 lockdown, some locals have been calling for recycling centres to be reopened to help households keep the waste in their bins at a minimum.
One local, Jo Mickel, has started an ‘Open Stirling Recycle Facilities’ petition on Change.org which has gathered 112 signatures so far.
She said: “The idea of the beautiful countryside around Stirling being littered is horrendous, but I also think it’s probably going to increase if families have nowhere to store their excess household waste.”
However, Stirling Council says it is continuing to follow Scottish Government guidance on the issue and has issued advice on storage of waste meantime.
At a Scottish Parliament virtual question time last week Labour Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley highlighted the rise in fly-tipping taking place across Scotland.
He said: “It is important to be measured in our response when re-opening public services back up during the coronavirus pandemic – but plans for lifting restrictions on recycling centres need to be looked at.
“SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland have launched a new campaign highlighting the fact that not only is fly-tipping a crime, but it presents a serious hazard to people and the environment. Local authority resources are already stretched to breaking point and as such fly tipping could really threaten the availability of services to other areas of the community in need of support.”
Minister for local government, housing and planning Kevin Stewart, however, said while he was aware that fly-tipping was an increasing issue, other factors had to take precedence for now.
“Obviously, fly-tipping is an offence and people should not do it; people should behave responsibly during the public health emergency,” said Mr Stewart.
“If we are to re-open any facility, we must make sure we do so in a safe manner and that, as in everything that we do, we are guided by the medical and scientific advice we receive.”