The Waste Problems and Solutions
The problem –
The average household in Scotland produces 1.197kg (1.2 tonnes) of waste every year. Waste is expensive to dispose of collecting and disposing of household waste costs Argyll & Bute Council approximately £9 million per year. A portion of our council tax goes towards these costs. It is us who are carrying the cost and currently the majority of our waste in Argyll & Bute goes to landfill, even though 90% of our waste can be recovered, either by reuse, reduce or recycle.

Whats in the average rubbish bin?
 Householders in Argyll & Bute produced 59,000 tonnes of rubbish in 2008/09. Over 38,000 tonnes end up in landfill sites. Argyll & Bute Council’s recycling rate for 2008/09 is 36%.
Top of Page

The Pollution Produced from Landfill

© Shanks		 Landfill Facts
In a landfill, organic matter reacts with other materials and creates toxic leachate that may contaminate nearby streams or groundwater. The airless conditions in a landfill mean that instead of composting, organic materials ferment, giving off methane – an explosive, potent contributor to the greenhouse effect The organic materials within landfills are the main source of methane in the UK. Methane is a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming and is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
© Shanks
Top of Page


A Waste of Resources

© Susan Koeing		 Over half of the rubbish we throw away can be used to make new products. Using recycled materials instead of virgin raw materials makes economic sense. For example making new aluminium cans from bauxite, an aluminium ore, uses 20 times more energy than making them from recycled aluminium cans.
Top of Page

The Solutions
There are better options than just landfilling it. We all have a part to play. The solutions to the waste problem are fundamentally simple to explain but are difficult to implement. It is a question of changing our attitude and behaviour towards waste.
Top of Page

The obvious way to start is with 3R’s REDUCE, REUSE, RECYLE. –
Reduce

Try and reduce the amount of waste we create in the first place. This is a fundamental lifestyle change as it affects the way we work, shop and relax.

  • Avoid overly-packaged products
  • Buy products in bulk
  • Buy reusable containers
  • Choose long-lasting products
  • Use re-chargeable batteries
  • Use re-useable nappies
  • Reduce junk mail – register with the mailing preference service at www.mpsonline.org.uk  or 08457 0345999

Reuse  

  • Furniture, White goods, computers & bicycles can always be reused or refurbished
  • Clothing, toys and books can be sent to charity shops
  • In the office use both sides of paper before recycling it
  • Use refillable ink cartridges
  • Reuse plastic shopping bags or reduce plastic bags by using reusable fabric bags/baskets
  • Plastic pots & glass jars are useful storage containers and plant pots.
Recycle•
  • Recycling involves processing waste materials into useable products. Both energy and natural resources can be conserved this way.
  • Recycling makes us more responsible for the waste we create.
  •  Please see where and what to recycle.

 
Top of Page

Area Waste Plans
These may change in March 2010 with the publication of the Zero Waste Plan for Scotland, which was out for consultation in November 2009. For more information about the Zero Waste Plan go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/19141153/41
Top of Page

Our Sponsors - The Grab Trust is funded by the following organisations
 

The Group for Recycling in Argyll & Bute Trust Limited

c/o Argyll & Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll. PA31 8RT, Tel: 01546 600165

Company No.197229 Scottish Charity No. SC 0290154