Pilot scheme aims to boost recycling in West Lothian
A five month pilot scheme to increase recycling and tackle bin contamination will start this week.
The pilot will take place in areas within Linlithgow Bridge, including areas in the west of Linlithgow from 16 October and in Armadale (west of the cross) from 23 October.
The initiative is part of the local 'Recycle for West Lothian Campaign', where the council aims to reduce the contamination of household bins with material that cannot be recycled. Contamination is the term used when the wrong material is placed into recycling bins.
Contaminated material can't be separated or cleaned, meaning whole bin lorry loads can end up being disposed of rather than recycled. This is very expensive and harmful to the environment.
The Recycle for West Lothian campaign seeks to create a culture of recycling in West Lothian, reduce contamination and lead to an increase in recycling rates.
Key messages include encouraging households to ensure everything that is placed in their blue and green bins is clean, empty and dry, as well ensuring the correct items are placed in each recycling bins.
Executive councillor for the environment and sustainability Tom Conn said:
"These areas were selected as the entire collection beat is concentrated in a small area, and does not cross between towns. This means that the impact of the trials can be measured and reported and it is expected that the interventions will reduce contaminants towards the targets of 20% and 28% for the Blue and Green Bin respectively.
"Targeted work in these areas will inform future work to take place across the entirety of West Lothian."
Jim Jack, the council's Head of Operational Services added: "It is vital that we put the correct items in the correct bins. We have created lots of promotional materials to advise householders what items should be placed into what bin and it is very easy to follow. We simply ask householders to follow the guidance and reduce the impact of waste on West Lothian's environment.
A number of initiatives will be undertaken, including engagement with households whose bins are not emptied due to contamination.
Householders that contaminate bins will have a tag put on their bin and the bin will not be emptied. The tag tells them why their bin has not been emptied and asks them to remove the contamination and present their bin on the next scheduled collection day. Bins will only be emptied on the next collection day if the contamination has been removed.
Guidance on what should be placed into each bin is set out at: I have a green and a blue bin
