The Scottish Government has granted £500,000 to help fund climate change schemes at council landfill sites.

Speaking at the Scottish Resources Conference in Edinburgh today, 06 October, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham revealed the funding will support work between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and local authorities to capture harmful methane gas from closed landfills.

The funding is part of a larger £2.5 million financial boost to improve recycling in council areas.

East Ayrshire Council is the first local authority to be awarded funding to support implementation of the Scottish Household Recycling Charter.

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The council will receive over £2m to carry out the joint initiative between the Scottish Government and COSLA, which aims to implement a consistent recycling system for residents.

Addressing the resource industry's main annual event, Ms Cunningham said: "Zero Waste Scotland has estimated that we could save 11MT (Mega Tonnes) of emissions by 2050 by moving to a more circular economy – where we keep valuable materials in circulation for as long as possible. Our ambition in this area goes hand in hand with our ambition on climate change.

"Less than half of Scotland's household waste now goes to landfill, and 75% of households now have a food waste service. The additional support I am announcing today will help keep valuable materials in circulation for as long as possible, and help reduce our emissions."

East Ayrshire Cllr Eòghann MacColl added: "Signing up to the Scottish Household Recycling Charter means we can continue to promote and deliver effective recycling strategies, with even less going to landfill. This saves money, protects the environment and will help make East Ayrshire an even cleaner, greener place to live, work and visit."

(LM/CD)