Scots are thanked for recycling efforts

The environmental organisation wants to recognise everyone who has kept recycling and reusing even in the midst of a global pandemic, as well as the hard work of waste collection crews and recycling centre staff up and down the country who have kept our essential recycling services running during 2020.

Now in its 11th year, Zero Waste Scotland’s Recycle Week is an annual celebration of recycling and encourages a week of positive action. Scotland’s latest Programme for Government has emphasised the importance of recycling with a £70 million fund announced to improve local authority collection infrastructure.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Even a pandemic hasn’t stopped Scots 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 the Scottish public 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.”

Waste collection crews across Scotland were praised by the public for safely maintaining essential services during the most significant impact of coronavirus. Householders showed their appreciation with thank you stickers on bins, knitted mascots and a piper in the Crook of Devon, Kinross-shire, gave his thanks by performing for the crew as they emptied the bins in his street.

Mark Smith, a refuse collection operative said: “This year has been really busy, and our waste and recycling team has been working hard to keep things running so we appreciate that people have noticed this.

“The kids especially are a real morale boost and elderly residents often come out to say hello to the collection crews from a distance. “It’s been great to get the recognition and the chocolate and cakes left by residents are a welcome treat.

“It’s great that this year’s Recycle Week was about saying thank you because we are all playing our part to keep recycling.”