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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Recycling funding for Western Isles

27/11/2003

Funding help reduce levels of waste going to landfill in the Western Isles was announced today.

Western Isles Council will receive funding of £902,000 from the Strategic Waste Fund to introduce kerbside recycling schemes, implement waste prevention and minimisation schemes and carry out research into an integrated waste processing system.

Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:

"The Scottish Executive is committed to transforming Scotland's record on waste reduction, recycling, composting and recovery. This funding will help ensure many households across the Western Isles have access to recycling facilities.

"By funding recycling initiatives such those announced today, we are helping Councils meet their recycling targets, and ensuring as many people have the opportunity to recycle.

"But recycling on its own is not enough. We all need to reduce the amount of waste we produce and re-use products whenever possible. These three strands of action can provide Scotland with much more sustainable ways of managing waste."

The Strategic Waste Fund is a specific grant scheme established by the Scottish Executive for the implementation of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland. It was set up under The Financial Assistance for the Environmental Purposes (Scotland) Order 2000 (S.S.I. 2000/430).

Total provision for local authorities in the Strategic Waste Fund is £30.2m for 2003/4, £90.2, for 2004/5 and £111.7 for 2005/6. The Scottish Executive has already allocated nearly £116 million between councils this financial year for initiatives to increase recycling and composting.

The National Waste Strategy, published by the Scottish Executive in 1999, sets the framework for changing the way waste is managed in Scotland; increasing recycling and recovery and reducing reliance on landfill. Eleven Area Waste Plans have been prepared by groups involving Local Authorities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and local stakeholders and communities to establish the Best Practicable Environmental Option for Waste in each Area.

Page updated: Wednesday, July 21, 2004