New vehicle restrictions at Highland Council Household Waste Recycling Centres

16th December 2019

From the 3rd February 2020, The Highland Council will be introducing changes at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC). These changes will be introduced in two phases with phase one focussing on vehicle restrictions which will commence on 3rd February 2020. Phase two will place restrictions on the amount of construction and demolition waste permitted into the sites and will be implemented later in the year.

The measures were agreed by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 15th August 2019 to help the Council deliver savings in the region of £300,000 over 2 years.

Carron McDiarmid, Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place said: "The Council operates 21 HWRC throughout the Highlands providing opportunities for householders to recycle a wide range of materials including cardboard, some plastics, textiles, garden waste, scrap metal, wood, glass and electrical appliances. However, in Highland we manage 22% more waste per person than the Scottish average. In addition, the Recycling Centres have experienced a 50% increase in waste in the past decade, costing up to £2.4M in handling and treatment costs."

She continued: “Restrictions already apply at HWRC regarding the disposal of commercial waste and the introduction of the new restrictions aims to maximise the availability of facilities to householders while preventing commercial misuse.”

From Monday 3rd February the following vehicles will not be permitted entry to HWRC with any waste:

• Trailers with more than one axle or greater than 2.4 metres (8 feet) in length;

• Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes or greater;

• Tippers and flat-bed trucks of any weight;

• Plant vehicles

Leaflets detailing the vehicle restrictions will be available from all HWRC and further information about the changes will be communicated via social media, newspapers and the Councils website.

Alternative methods for managing household waste include using The Highland Council's chargeable Bulky Uplift Service. To coincide with the changes at HWRC, the range of items available for collection has now been expanded to include bathroom and sanitary ware; kitchen cabinets; car tyres and/or rims; bicycles; window frames and doors (without glass), gates, lawnmowers and garden tools. The charge for this service is £22.69 for 1 - 3 items and £45.37 for 4 – 6 items. To book a Bulky Uplift please visit www.highland.gov.uk/request or call 01349 886603.

In Caithness, Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Badenoch & Strathspey, the Council operates Transfer Stations and/or landfill sites where householders and businesses can pay to deliver waste directly. In addition, in Sutherland and Skye, the Council operates a chargeable skip hire service for householders and businesses. In Inverness, Easter Ross and Lochaber there are private waste disposal companies which offer skip hire or waste disposal facilities for which a charge will apply.

Fly tipping is currently monitored across the region and will continue to be assessed once the changes are introduced and any remedial action will be taken by the Council’s Compliance Team.

For more information visit: www/highland.gov.uk/recycle; e-mail recycle@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 886603.