I recently asked for clarity from the Scottish Government on what the plans are for the reopening of recycling centres across the country. I am glad to see there has been movement on this, and that recycling centres are starting to come back into operation.
Prior to the opening of some recycling centres across the region, I highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government the rise in flytipping that had been taking place across Scotland.
It is important to be measured in our response when reopening public services back up during the coronavirus pandemic – but plans for lifting restrictions on recycling centres needed to be looked at and I am glad that is starting to be done.
There had been news reports of police having to guard illegal flytipping sites, which was clearly not the best use of their time, because of the huge rise in the number of people dumping rubbish.
SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland launched a campaign highlighting the fact that not only is flytipping a crime, but it presents a serious hazard to people and the environment. Local authority resources are already stretched to breaking point and as such fly tipping could really threaten the availability of services to other areas of the community in need of support.
There are many considerations that need to be looked at, but plans were essential to be put in place for public services such as recycling centres, and guidance given to local authorities from the Scottish Government on how to manage opening these services back up so they can be used safely.
You can see my question on this in the Scottish Parliament below:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZipeZ6sE81U[/embedyt]
