Backlash follows criticism of rubbish sites use

A FIFE councillor who branded those dumping rubbish at overflowing recycling points as “environmental vandals”, has been blamed by council colleagues for helping to create the issue.

The SNP’s Ross Vettraino, convener of the environment, protective services and community safety committee, said he had been left “breathless” when many recycling points were overwhelmed during the festive period.

But several of his colleagues have said he must shoulder the blame.

“Councillor Vettraino is right – there is absolutely no excuse for the overflowing rubbish,” said independent councillor Linda Holt.

“But the buck stops with him and Fife Council, not Fifers who are doing the responsible thing in packing up their rubbish and driving it to these points to deposit.

“Councillor Vettraino has been berating and threatening people ever since he became convener.

“With access to recycling sites still rationed, the massive rise in online shopping and Christmas always heaping pressure on recycling points, everyone could see this disaster coming a mile off.

“Why on earth didn’t Fife Council increase the number of bins and frequency of collections?”

Lib Dem councillors Jane Ann Liston and Margaret Kennedy also hit back at Mr Vettraino’s claim that “very few” Fifers do not have access to a car and are thus unable to use the recycling centres.

“According to the last census, 74.4% of Fife households had access to a car or van; that means a quarter do not; hardly ‘very few’,” said Ms Kennedy.

Ms Liston added that non-driving households face extra hurdles disposing of waste that can’t go in kerbside bins.

Mr Vettraino responded: “The council, in common with every other council, does not have the resources to service every recycling point before the bins are full, so they are being continually monitored and available resources are being directed to those where they are most needed.”