Recycling station for Dumbarton and Vale of Leven at Dalmoak on the Renton road.
By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton constituency, has said that the SNP must get a grip of Scotland’s embarrassing recycling record and take urgent action on waste to accelerate Scotland’s journey to a circular economy.
The most recent household recycling target was for 60% of household waste to be recycled by 2020 – but in 2019, the percentage achieved was only 44.9%. Both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils significantly failed to meet the 60% target with just 38.6% and 44.8% being recycled respectively.
There is currently no national household recycling target.
Jackie Baillie has expressed disappointment that recycling targets are being missed both locally and across Scotland by some distance and has urged the Scottish government to ensure that local communities have good access to local recycling facilities.
With COP26 now weeks away, the MSP has challenged the SNP to wake up to the escalating environmental crisis, abandon its reliance on large-scale incineration and accelerate plans for a circular economy bill.
Jackie Baillie, left, said: “The SNP government must get a grip of its embarrassing record on recycling and stop building large-scale incinerators.
“Both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils must do far more to ensure that households can recycle quickly and easily.
“I know that kerbside glass recycling is something that local people in West Dunbartonshire would be keen for and it is the council’s responsibility to listen and act on the needs of local communities.
“The climate emergency is real, and households should be getting more support to access recycling facilities and reduce their waste.
“Scotland’s recycling rates are going in the wrong direction and with COP26 approaching the SNP should be embarrassed.
“Scottish Labour would slam the brakes on more incinerators being built, that’s why we have urged SNP and Green ministers to back a moratorium and work with us to reduce waste, boost recycling and make Scotland a world-leader on a circular economy.”