The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Proposal to keep all Angus recycling centres open.
Householder permit scheme would be introduced for larger non-commercial vehicles and trailers
Proposals have been put forward to keep all seven Angus burgh recycling centres open.
Angus recycling operations have been under constant review since the council agreed not to proceed with proposed closures of four of the seven existing centres a year ago. On Thursday, elected members will be asked to agree that centres at Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose open seven days a week.
They would operate longer hours to accept the full range of waste and recycling materials and Forfar would be expanded with additional containers.
The other centres – in Brechin, Carnoustie, Kirriemuir and Monifieth – would open five days per week but only accept materials for recycling, with no mixed or general waste allowed.
A householder permit scheme for larger, non-commercial vehicles and trailers would also be introduced at all centres. The voucher scheme for commercial vehicles would continue. Angus recycling rates must increase from 51% to 60% for the plan to work.
The communities convener, Independent councillor Mark Salmond, said: “Through increased kerbside recycling and by modernising the way that our recycling centres are used, we can deliver a waste management service that works for all our residents and our environment.
“Householders across Angus already do brilliantly when it comes to recycling, but we can support them to do more, maintain and enhance our Angus waste management service provision and still deliver savings that must be made.”
The proposals, if agreed, would take effect from February 1.
Forfar Conservative councillor Braden Davy said: “People were appalled at the former administration’s plans to close centres and merge Kirriemuir and Forfar into a super skip.
“These new plans are great news for Forfar and Angus, and it keeps a recycling centre open in every town.”
Kirriemuir Conservative councillor Angus Macmillan Douglas said: “Making recycling harder never made sense and I’m glad to see this policy come forward.”
Carnoustie Independent councillor Brian Boyd hit out at the proposal. He said: “What these towns need is a place to get rid of rubbish, not recyclables.”
Making recycling harder never made sense and I’m glad to see this policy come forward