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Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

LAST CHANCE TO INFLUENCE HIGHLAND WASTE PLAN
http://www.sepa.org.uk/consultation/  for a copy of the full plan.

The final stage of developing the new waste plan for the Highlands is underway. This is the last chance for people in the area to influence how their rubbish is to be dealt with. Tough new European laws and closure of landfill sites mean that the Highlands will have to radically change how it disposes of 500,000 tonnes of waste every year.

The Highland Waste Strategy Group, which outlined its recommendations last month, is now setting out the detail of the plan. Throughout June, a series of public meetings across the area will give individuals and organisations the opportunity to shape the best solution for the Highlands.

Lorna Walker of SEPA, who co-ordinates the group's work, said: "Now that we've published our draft plan, it's essential that we get as many views as possible. We are proposing radical changes to the way our rubbish is dealt with - including asking everyone to separate their rubbish in their homes, an energy from waste plant, a new landfill, a recycling centre and around 7 local compost plants.

"If you don't like these proposals, or think we could be doing better, or simply feel that we are going in the right direction, then now is the time to let us know!"  As well as the meetings, leaflets about the consultation will be distributed through libraries, post offices and council service points through the Highlands. Around 20 schools are also taking part. The consultation document can also be obtained from the waste strategy section of SEPA's website -
www.sepa.org.uk/nws 

4 June Inverness, Town House
5 June Nairn, Community Centre
10 June Fort William, Nevis Centre
11 June Ullapool, High School
12 June Dingwall, Town Hall
13 June Aviemore, Cairngorm Hotel
25 June Brora, Royal Marine Hotel
26 June Broadford, Village Hall
27 June Thurso, Environmental Research Institute, Castle Street

All meetings start at 7.30pm with tea and coffee available from 7pm.

The plan proposes increasing recycling from 2% today to 42% by 2020.

Waste that cannot be recycled or composted will be sent to an energy from waste plant or to a landfill site. The option recommended for the Highlands will cost around £275m over 20 years and could create the equivalent of 1300 full time jobs over the 20 years. It also had the lowest environmental impact of all options considered - in terms of air, land, water, global warming and depletion of natural resources.

Last autumn the group heard the views of 700 people on five options for managing the area's waste. In April the group carried out a rigorous assessment of the options and proposed a solution which is now detailed in the plan. After the contributions from this consultation are included, the plan will be sent to the Scottish Executive for approval.

Printed copies of the consulation document will be available from 1 June. To reserve a copy, or for more information, email [email protected] or phone SEPA's Dingwall office on 01349 862021.
To Down Load a copy of the Highland Waste plan or other areas go to http://www.sepa.org.uk/consultation/

Note
Under the National Waste Strategy, Scotland has been split into 11 waste strategy areas, each of which is to develop an Area Waste Plan, outlining how waste will be dealt with over the next 20 years. These plans will be integrated into the National Waste Strategy for Scotland.

 The Highland Waste Strategy Group is made up of representatives of public bodies (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Highland Council,Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, North of Scotland Water Authority) and representatives of community groups, the waste industry and waste producers.

Related Pages -

www.sepa.org.uk/news/releases/2002/pr040.html  - best option for Highlands announced

www.sepa.org.uk/news/releases/2002/pr009.html  - results of consultation

www.sepa.org.uk/news/releases/2001/sepapr7901.html  - Highland businesses warned about waste deadline

www.sepa.org.uk/news/releases/2001/sepapr6101.html  - consultation announced

www.sepa.org.uk/nws/index.htm  - National Waste Strategy home page

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