Forfar's renewal is a key element in the drive to deliver a modern, comprehensive Angus-wide waste management service that recognises the importance of all residents reducing their carbon footprint through increased recycling.
Once work is complete, the Queenswell Road centre will be more accessible and available to the public than ever before. Along with the recently refurbished centres at Arbroath and Montrose, Forfar will open seven days a week and operate longer hours to accept the full range of waste and recycling materials.
Communities vice-convener, Councillor Tommy Stewart, said: "We want residents to begin their recycling effort on their doorstep. But we also recognise that our recycling centres have a key role to play in supporting people to get the right stuff in the right bin, or the right container if your prefer.
"This is an important investment in the recycling centre at Forfar - one that will ensure it is fit for future use by our residents and that will support us in our determination to increase our already high recycling rates. Increasing recycling at our centres will not only reduce our environmental impact but will also deliver significant financial savings that enables us to retain all our current recycling centres."
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Forfar's lay-out is being reconfigured to enhance traffic flow and to allow increased capacity for more containers. The new layout will also mean that the containers can be moved/removed without the need to close the centre during opening hours, which can cause frustration for the public.
Demolition work begins on site from Monday, with surfacing work scheduled to take place the following week on parts of the depot out with the existing recycling centre area. Efforts are being made to keep the centre open throughout this period, with any temporary closures kept to a minimum and aimed at avoiding the festive period. However, it is anticipated that the centre will have to close in early January to allow work to be completed.
From Monday, space at the centre will be reduced due to the works and it will not be possible to deposit textiles or gas bottles at the site, or collect compost from it.
Textiles can be left at the clothing bank at Asda, 1 New Road, Forfar, DD8 2AE.
Gas bottles should be returned to the supplier or taken to an alternative recycling centre.
Compost is available at both Arbroath and Montrose recycling centres.
Operations at Angus recycling centres were under review following full council's decision not to proceed with proposed closures of four of the seven existing recycling centres last year.
In September, full council agreed that Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose centres would open seven days a week and continue to accept the full range of waste and recycling materials. They also agreed that the centres at Brechin, Carnoustie, Kirriemuir and Monifieth would continue on similar opening hours as present and operate as dedicated recycling centres (with no mixed waste or general waste accepted). This takes effect in February 2019.
This provision aligns the county's recycling centre provision to its frontline provision – the kerbside recycling service, where residents can maximise their recycling effort reducing the need for regular trips to their local centre. Public support in getting the Right Stuff in the Right Bin is crucial to help deliver required savings of £250,000 while retaining recycling centres. Proposals can be delivered if the recycling rate at Angus recycling centres improves from 51% to 60%.
