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Archived news: published on Friday 11 May 2012 by Fife Council
Fife's recycling rate is at a record high.
FIFE Council’s waste management performance has taken another leap forward with the announcement that over 55% (140,000 tonnes) of household and business waste was recycled in the financial year 2011/12. It’s a new record for Fife and ensures that the council retains its position as one of the top performing councils in the UK.
Recycling this amount of waste also means that the council saved a whopping £7.8 million in landfill tax last year and enabled it to earn over £2 million from the sale of commodities like paper and plastics that Fifers recycled. It also prevented the release of over 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Senior Manager for Sustainability, Chris Ewing said commented: “These figures are immensely encouraging. Once again Fifers are leading the way in ensuring that waste is converted into products that have value rather than being dumped in a hole in the ground. The added bonus is that this is saving us nearly £10 million per year.”
However the council can’t afford to be complacent.
Chris added: “Although we’ve hit a new record, we still need to do more. The Scottish Government has set even higher targets for recycling so we have to work towards achieving them.
“Just as important though is the opportunity to save more money and reduce carbon emissions further. Projects that we are working on just now, such as the roll out of a 4 bin service to over 150,000 households will ensure that we hit 60% recycling in a couple of years. That could save another £1.5 million per year compared to landfilling.”
The council is also in the process of building a new plant to treat food and garden waste at Lochead near Dunfermline. This will produce enough electricity to power 1500 homes and enough heat to meet the needs of a facility like Queen Margaret Hospital. The new plant should be operational by autumn next year.
For more information contact
Chris Ewing, Senior Manager (Sustainability)Tel: 08451 55 55 55 + Ext 44 04 46 Contact Chris Ewing online
By Post: Fife Council, Bankhead Central, Bankhead Park, Glenrothes, KY7 6GH
