A grant of £234,000 from Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycling Improvement Fund has been used to increase reuse and upgrade signage at Stirling Council’s three HWRC sites at Lower Polmaise, Callander and Balfron.
The funding has also allowed the purchase of two mobile roll packers - one at Lower Polmaise and one at Callander - which allows staff to compact recycling skips more efficiently, creating less void space within them and reducing carbon impact.
As a result, three new recycling skips have been introduced at Lower Polmaise to recycle used mattresses, carpets and hard plastics for the first time. It follows a successful trial period between May-December 2023, which saw more than 3,000 mattresses diverted from landfill, along with almost 350 tonnes of carpets and hard plastics.
Upgrades
The increased reuse potential at Lower Polmaise has seen walking aids supplied for refurbishment to NHS Forth Valley and the introduction of a partnership operation with Transition Stirling for the reuse of furniture and bric-a-brac.
The upgrades will be promoted on new livery for waste trucks, which will also advertise recycling promotions across the area on the range of materials that can be reused or recycled at the HWRC sites.
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, Cllr Jen Preston, joined forces with Waste Services staff and David Gunn, Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycling Improvement Fund manager, at Lower Polmaise to welcome the new programme of improvements.
Cllr Preston said: “We want all residents in the Stirling area to have a positive experience when visiting our HWRC sites. The new signage will ensure they are much more user-friendly and informative, making it easier for our residents to find the correct place to deposit their materials for recycling or reuse.
“The introduction of the roll packers have also freed up space to accept mattresses, carpets and hard plastics. These items have been particularly difficult to recycle in the past and have been diverted to landfill, but advances in technology have made it much more straightforward.
“This will boost our recycling performance and protect our national environment, helping us deliver on our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan.”
Circular
David Gunn, Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycling Improvement Fund manager, added:
"We’re delighted to see these upgrades being rolled out across Stirling’s recycling centres. They’ll make these centres easier for residents to access and boost the amount of material being recycled and reused – cutting carbon and easing the pressure we put on the environment.
“They’ll also help take Scotland a step further on its journey to becoming more circular and sustainable, protecting the planet for future generations.”