Scottish sign-up to UK waste reduction programme

Perth & Kinross council has become only the second Scottish local authority to sign up to the UK's national Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment for construction, demolition and excavation waste. This is a UK-wide initiative that aims to reduce waste, recycle more of the waste actually produced and increase the use of recycled materials in new construction and refurbishment

According to Environment Convener Councillor Alan Grant: "As an organisation involved in developing and refurbishing buildings and facilities, Perth & Kinross Council has a significant role to play in minimising the environmental and economic impacts of sending waste materials from construction, demolition and excavation to landfill."

"The Council is also looking to make the most cost-effective use possible of materials recovered from the waste stream - thus helping to divert waste from landfill, save expenditure on landfill tax and reduce demand on our finite natural resources.'

As part of this effort, a recycling centre at Crieff, UK, is being redeveloped by CA Blackwell (Contracts) Ltd, through the construction of a waste transfer building, a new access road, recycling pays and points along with associated drainage, lighting, electrical and fencing work.

Targets set for the project include 75% minimum waste recovery on construction materials, 85% minimum for demolition and excavation and a 10% minimum of reused and recycled content in new build and refurbishment work.