Perth & Kinross Council has become only the second local authority in Scotland to sign up to the national Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment for construction, demolition and excavation waste.

In making this commitment, the Council will work to adopt and put in place standards for good practice in reducing waste, recycling more, and increasing the use of recycled and recovered materials in new and refurbishment construction activities.

The Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment is a UK-wide initiative which is being driven forward and promoted to the construction sector in Scotland by Zero Waste Scotland, the organisation set up by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Zero Waste Plan.

The Commitment gives Perth & Kinross Council the opportunity to further improve its environmental performance, and reduce its carbon footprint, in conjunction with its suppliers and providers. This can be done by the inclusion of waste prevention, minimisation, reuse and recycling requirements in standard contract terms and conditions.

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Environment Convener Councillor Alan Grant said: "As an organisation involved in developing and refurbishing buildings and facilities, Perth & Kinross Council has a significant role to play in minimising the environmental and economic impacts of sending waste materials from construction, demolition and excavation to landfill.

"The Council is also looking to make the most cost-effective use possible of materials recovered from the waste stream – thus helping to divert waste from landfill, save expenditure on landfill tax and reduce demand on our finite natural resources."

Steps are already being taken, with the support of Zero Waste Scotland, to deliver on the Commitment through construction projects such as the redevelopment of the Recycling Centre at Crieff, which is being delivered by CA Blackwell (Contracts) Ltd. This comprises the construction of a waste transfer station building, new access road, recycling bays and points along with associated drainage, lighting, electrical and fencing works.

Waste recovery and reuse targets have been set for this project: 75% minimum waste recovery rate on construction materials, 85% minimum for demolition and excavation, and a 10% minimum of reused and recycled content in new build and refurbishment work.

(CD/KMcA)