Fly-tipping fears prompted as hours cut at recycling centres

Recycling centres across Fife are to shut for one or two days a week, despite concerns the move could lead to more fly-tipping.

Opening hours will be cut at nine of the region’s 11 tips to save the cashstrapped council £250,000 a year.

Councillors agreed to the change, which they were told was aimed at keeping them open and reducing the £2.4 million annual running costs.

Household waste recycling centres operate seven days a week but the larger facilities in Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Methil will close for one of those.

Sites at Cowdenbeath, Cupar, Dalgety Bay, Lochgelly, Pittenweem and St Andrews will close for two days in the week.

As the environment, protective services and community safety committee gave the go-ahead, Councillor Judy Hamilton voiced concern about the potential for an increase in fly-tipping.

Councillor Darren Watt urged officers to ensure information about opening times was easily accessible to try to avoid irresponsible dumping.

He said: “The last thing we want is to have people putting stuff in the back of their car and driving to a centre to find it closed. “Where do they go from there?” Robin Baird, chief operating officer of Fife Resource Solutions, said fixed day closures had been recommended rather than an alternative involving closures on a three-week rotation as it would be less confusing for users.

He said: “There will be a full communication exercise prior to any changes being implemented so customers and businesses are fully aware.

“It’s not our intention to implement those changes until the commencement of the new financial year to give us that period of dialogue.”

Closures will be on fixed weekdays and will be staggered to ensure an alternative site is available nearby.

Centres will also close for 45 minutes each day for staff lunch breaks to avoid lone working at those manned by two people.

Staff will be affected by the changes, as they may have to rotate around sites and see shift patterns altered and Mr Baird said there would be employee consultation.

The last thing we want is to have people putting stuff in the back of their car and driving to a centre to find it closed. COUNCILLOR DARREN WATT