Waste Not Want Not
Friday 4th October 2002
In August a massive 2,532 tonnes of waste was collected from households across the county - most of which ended up in the landfill site.
In comparison only 82.3 tonnes of waste was collected for recycling from the 12,000 households taking part in the 'Blue Box' scheme.
Now the challenge ahead is to increase the amount of waste for recycling and decrease the amount of rubbish collected from household bins in a bid to redress the balance.
The Council has produced a special waste edition of its newspaper - the Courier - in a bid to inform local residents how they can change their current waste disposal habits and recycle, reduce or reuse more of their rubbish.
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Convener of the Enterprise and Environment Committee said: "We need to change the way we think about our rubbish. If we don't the costs will be high, both to the environment and our pockets. With less than 18 months to go to the closure of the Black Devon landfill site local people must think about the consequences before they throw rubbish in the bin.
"Although the county's recycling figures have increased dramatically since the introduction of the blue box scheme our monthly figures are still a drop in the ocean. There are a number of options available locally in terms or recycling. Our special edition of the Courier highlights these and other alternative ways to cut down on the amount of rubbish that goes into the bin each week. We all have a part to play in protecting the planet and Clackmannanshire's environment, no matter how much or little you do, it will all make a difference."
The Council and its partners have set out a range of future, more sustainable waste disposal options, in the Forth Valley Area Waste Plan. The Plan is radical and shows how to move away from burying rubbish in the ground by·Cutting down on the amount of rubbish produced·Reusing, recovering and recycling up to three times more rubbish.
The plan also sets out tough targets that must be met - to recycle and compost 25% of household rubbish by 2006 and 30% by 2010. At the moment Clackmannanshire only recycles 4.8% of its rubbish.
"Every effort must be made to change the way rubbish and waste are disposed of to help us meet these targets, "added Ewart McAuslane. "We have a huge challenge in front of us which involves a total culture change in terms of waste disposal.
"Over the coming months we hope to build on current provision and introduce a number of new initiatives that will make it easier for local people to dispose of rubbish while protecting our environment."
The Courier will be delivered by the Royal Mail to 22,000 households in Clackmannanshire during the first two weeks of October. Dollar residents will receive copies along with the the Alloa Extra. Copies are also available in council offices, libraries and public buildings.
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