Moray householders' recycling rates during pandemic among top in country
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MORAY residents have received national praise as local recycling efforts during the pandemic were among the best in Scotland.
Zero Waste Scotland joined Moray Council in thanking residents, urging them to keep up the good work, as Recycle Week starts today, September 21, until September 28.
Despite a period of suspended recycling collections, a shift to a three-weekly collection schedule, and a temporary closure of recycling centres during lockdown, Moray households recycled 55% of waste produced between April 1-August 31 through the kerbside collection service.
Since the council’s recycling centres reopened in June, householders have made 12,500 bookings to responsibly dispose of more than 2,000 tonnes of waste.
Moray Council waste manager Mike Neary said: "Moray’s recycling rate has consistently been among the highest in Scotland, and we’re so thankful to residents for continuing this effort during these exceptionally difficult months.
"Our crews have worked hard to maintain the highest level of service possible but we know there has been disruption to bin collections – which makes our residents’ commitment to recycling even more admirable.
"I’d also like to say a special thank you for the outpouring of support our crews have received this year – every wave, picture and thank you means a great deal to our team."
Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: "Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped those living in Moray recycling. Almost everyone’s day-to-day routine has been rewritten during 2020 and we recognise the efforts people have made to keep recycling and reusing products and materials.
"We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone in Moray, as every plastic bottle or apple core placed in the recycling bin makes a difference to the environment.
"The waste collection crews, recycling centre staff and local authority teams also deserve recognition for going above and beyond to keep services running when faced with big challenges.
"While Scotland has come a long way since recycling was first introduced, there is still much more we can do, so let’s keep on recycling as much as we can."
