Recycling rates have slumped in West Dunbartonshire – with council chiefs stepping up efforts to encourage residents to do their bit to tackle climate change.
New figures reveal just 36.8 percent of waste from the area was recycled last year, lower than the 44.8 percent recycled in 2019.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) statistics also show the region lagged behind the Scottish average of 42 percent.
They demonstrate West Dunbartonshire has a long way to go to reach ambitious Scottish Government landfill targets, with the aim of sending no more than five percent of waste to landfill by 2025.
The recycling rate dropped across the country, with SEPA blaming the Covid pandemic for the slump.
West Dunbartonshire Council says educating residents will be a key focus in the coming year.
A spokeswoman said: “We continue to work hard to increase the amount of waste recycled by households across West Dunbartonshire, after facing collection challenges due to Covid-19.
“Regular communication with residents ensures they are well informed about the types of materials which can be recycled and our community waste officers are on hand to encourage recycling as well as offering support and guidance on the best way to use our services.
“Our focus on educating residents on the individual difference they can make by recycling their waste will continue next year and beyond, as we work towards national targets for reducing landfill.”
Last month, a council meeting heard that the cancellation of recycling services during the lockdown was highlighted as a reason for the below par performance.
WDC chief executive Joyce White said at the time: “The recycling figures are very concerning. And we would like particular help in that area.”
In January, the local authority set out plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, meaning that the amount of carbon dioxide it produces is offset by the amount it removes from the atmosphere.
The latest SEPA figures show residents in West Dunbartonshire produced 44,353 tonnes of rubbish in 2020.
The average person in the area generates 0.50 tonnes of waste – higher than the 0.44 Scottish average.
Nationally, there was an increase of 7,000 tonnes of household waste.
One positive SEPA pointed to was on carbon reductions.
SEPA said the 2020 data “reflects a continued downward trajectory since 2011 in Scotland’s household waste carbon impact”.
Terry A’Hearn, chief executive of SEPA, said: “Last month, the world came to Glasgow to agree global action on the climate emergency. The message was clear that together, as counties, companies, or communities – we all have a role to play.
“How we use resources in our homes, workplaces, public services and private sector can have a real impact on Scotland’s environment.
“Whilst It’s positive that for a ninth consecutive year we see a move from landfill, the latest data does reflect the realism of the public health emergency.
“What’s important is not the past, but what we do next.
“We’ve shown that by working together, we can rise to the challenge of a healthcare emergency.
“We need now to show that we can do this again in tackling the climate crisis.”
