New Recycling Service For The New Year

23rd December 2009

Do you have an electrical item that's lost its spark? By the end of January 2010 facilities will be in place at Recycling Centres across Highland to recycle all waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Householders in Highland will be able to recycle any electrical item with a plug attached, or items operated by a battery. This includes everything from small items such as hairdryers, DVD players and battery operated toys to large items such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and televisions. It also includes fluorescent light tubes, standard light bulbs and energy efficient light bulbs.

Various containers will be on-site for the segregation of different types of WEEE, and trained site operatives will be on hand to assist, and ensure that items are placed in the correct containers. These facilities will help ensure that hazardous items are diverted from landfill and recyclable components are recovered.

The Highland Council's Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing welcomes the new service. He said: "In 2007 new regulations came into force making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. There are 5 catagories of such equipment, three of which have been collected in Highland for some time now. The two new categories for us to recycle are small appliances, such as toasters, hairdryers, shavers and computers, and fluorescent tubes including energy saving light bulbs which is great news. I hope everyone takes full advantage of the new scheme especially to recycle old appliances that may have been replaced by recent Christmas gifts.

"The current recycling rate for Highland is 33% but this must rise to 40% in 2010, so the new service will help towards meeting this target."

If your electrical item is still in good working order don't forget that Home Aid welcomes electrical items as donations. These items will provide practical help to individuals in the Caithness and Sutherland area who have been without a home and are moving to their own tenancies, as well as those on low incomes. For more information please call Home Aid on 01463 890696.

Facilities for recycling WEEE will be available at Wick and Thurso Recycling Centres from 5th January 2010, current opening hours are 11.00 - 2.00 and 2.30 - 4.00 seven days a week. WEEE can also be taken to Seater Recycling Centre, open 8.00 - 4.00 Monday to Friday and 8.00 - 12.00 on Saturday.

For further information about WEEE or for advice on waste minimisation and recycling, telephone 01349 868439, email recycle[AT]highland.gov.uk or visit www.highland.gov.uk/recycle