Scots councils fail to meet landfill targets

15 October 2008

Seven Scottish councils have failed to meet their landfill allowance targets, according to latest figures.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) published the local authority waste statistics this month, with ministers highlighting the fact that the overall recycling rate increased by 3.3% to 31.7% in 2007-08.

However, more than 35,500t of biodegradable municipal waste had gone to landfill by councils in excess of the amounts allowed under the landfill allowance scheme. Aberdeenshire Council was the worst offender, sending 10,600t more to landfill – 70,286t instead of its limit of 59,686t.

The six others which breached their targets were Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Highland, East Lothian and Perth and Kinross. Aberdeenshire cited its increasing population as a reason behind its struggle to meet targets, and stressed inroads were being made, such as residents taking part in a food waste scheme.

A spokesman said: ‘We are striving to introduce and develop recycling collections and new initiatives to divert more waste from landfill, including introducing trial food waste collections in north Aberdeenshire, which obviously contributes to a reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfill, and we weren’t doing that at the time these figures were prepared.’

Aberdeen City Council blamed the fact that its plans to divert waste from landfill were delayed following a council decision to refuse permission for an energy-from-waste plant in the south of the city. However, a new strategy will be brought forward for consultation in coming months.

Perth and Kinross said its target was ‘particularly challenging’ to reach, as the council started from a high base level for recycling. A spokeswoman added that the council had a number of initiatives in place to meet targets, including the redevelopment of four recycling centres to take a greater range of recyclable materials North Lanarkshire said its performance had improved since the new figures were collected, and an extra 25,000t of waste would be diverted from landfill over the next year.

Inverclyde said it was considering ‘enforcement action’ against residents who failed to comply with council policy, while Highland claimed it needed new waste treatment facilities.

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login