Lochaber residents are being urged to recycle more. Historically, the public has viewed recycling centres as the ‘dump’ or the ‘tip’. However times have changed and with the need to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill and increase how much is recycled, Highland Council is encouraging householders to take the time to separate their items before they go to a recycling centre. Councillor Allan Henderson, Caol and Mallaig, chairman of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee, says separating items for recycling before people visit a recycling centre will not only save people time, but will also help reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. ‘Around 83,000 tonnes of household and business waste from the region is sent to landfill at a cost of approximately £11 million a year, so decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfill is a significant cost saving,’ said Mr Henderson this week. ‘In an effort to increase recycling at sites across the region, residents may be asked to sort their items for recycling, so try to avoid putting mixed unwanted items into black bags – most sites have separate containers for plastic bottles, cardboard, electrical items, clothes, shoes and bedding. ‘We all have things at home we don’t want or need such as clothes, books, toys or furniture which can still be used by someone else, so when you are having a clear out remember to pass them on by donating to charity.’ From 2021, Highland Council, like all local authorities in Scotland, will be required to change how it disposes of biodegradable municipal waste. The landfill ban is one of a number of measures set out in the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan to help stimulate a circular economy and promote more sustainable resource use in Scotland.