Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Scotland Construction Directory
Search our 14,766 companies....

Construction News

16/08/2019

Highland Council To Tackle Construction Waste At Recycling Centres

Construction News Image
The Highland Council has announced new measures to restrict the amount of construction and demolition waste brought to its network of 21 Household Waste Recycling Centres.

To coincide with these changes that come into force on 1 November this year, the Council's Bulky Uplift service will be expanded to include small amounts of DIY material.

The Highland Council manages 22% more waste per person than the Scottish average which equates to an additional 24,000 tonnes of waste a year, costing up to £2.4m in handling and treatment costs.

Much of the additional waste at Recycling Centres is construction and demolition waste such as rubble, plasterboard, timber, old kitchen units and bathroom suites. The council has no statutory duty to accept this kind of waste but has previously allowed householders to deposit wastes of this type.

At today's Environmental, Development and Infrastructure Committee members gave their approval to the implementation of the changes that will limit quantities of construction and demolition waste accepted at Highland recycling centres to small amounts generated through minor DIY activities only.
-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd



The changes are expected to save the Council £300,000 over two years.

Under the changes trailers over 2.4 metres, vans over 3.5 tonnes, tippers and trucks will not be permitted to any Highland Council recycling centre with any waste. Householders will be allowed to bring small quantities of construction and demolition waste but this will be restricted to what can be transported in the boot of a car and householders will be limited to one visit one visit per day with this material. These restrictions will not apply to normal household waste such as furniture, white goods and garden waste.

The Council's Bulky Uplift Service is a chargeable collection available to householders only. Under the new arrangements a number of items previously excluded will be permitted. They include bathroom suites and sanitary ware, bicycles, car wheels and tyres, doors, kitchen units, lawnmowers and garden tools and window frames. The charge for this service is £22.69 for 1 – 3 items and £45.37 for 4 – 6 items.

Chair of the Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson said: "These new measures will help to ensure that the commercial and trade waste producers are not taking advantage of the services we offer members of the public at our network of recycling centres. Householders undertaking small-scale home improvements will still be able to take small quantities of waste materials to our Recycling Centres but we are asking everyone to step up and take more responsibility for their own waste. It is not a statutory function for the council to undertake and we are not in a position to subsidise the cost, especially when it comes to construction and demolition waste.

"If anyone is using a commercial company or a tradesman to carry out DIY jobs for them, they need to make sure that arrangements are in place for materials to be disposed of correctly."

The new arrangements will be implemented from November 1st 2019.

(MH/JG)

Latest Construction News

03/07/2025
The University of St Andrews has taken a significant step forward in its major plans to redevelop the distinctive and historically significant former Madras College school building in central St Andrews. This week, the University submitted a full planning application to Fife Council for the renova
03/07/2025
Following extensive preparatory work, a definitive start date has been set for the significant redevelopment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall in Kilmarnock. The "Cultural Kilmarnock" project, backed by £20 million from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and additional funding from East Ayrs
03/07/2025
A public consultation has commenced for proposed significant public realm improvements on Gordon Street in Glasgow city centre, directly in front of Central Station. The feedback gathered from this consultation will be used to develop a more welcoming, safer, and more accessible public space in th
03/07/2025
Moray Council has awarded a contract to Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd to undertake essential drainage investigation works within Cooper Park pond in Elgin. These crucial works are scheduled to commence on Monday, 7 July 2025, and are expected to last approximately two weeks. The investigation will involve
03/07/2025
Western Villages, a pioneering residential development in Edinburgh, has secured a nationally-recognised net zero award, highlighting its innovative approach to sustainable construction. The project, which is part of the £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront Regeneration and led by The City of Edinburgh
03/07/2025
SELECT, the trade association for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, has welcomed a new agreement that strengthens the collaborative relationship for electrical apprentice training in the country. The Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and National Electrotechnical Training (NET) have si
03/07/2025
SSEN Transmission has announced a new strategic partnership with Powering Futures, a pioneering education-to-workforce skills provider, to inspire and equip the next generation for careers within Scotland's energy sector. This collaboration underscores SSEN Transmission's commitment to building a
03/07/2025
A significant wave of new green jobs has been announced in Dumfries and Galloway with the launch of recruitment for the Solway Coast and Marine Projects (SCAMP) – Landscape Connections initiative. These roles represent a major step forward in environmental restoration efforts across the region and
02/07/2025
Four priority towns in the Scottish Borders are set to receive a significant boost, with more than £7 million earmarked for their development and renewal under the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, and Jedburgh will benefit from the Place Programme, a central compone
02/07/2025
Plans to build new affordable housing in Twechar are moving forward, with construction on 15 energy-efficient homes expected to commence in August 2025. East Dunbartonshire Council will develop the properties on derelict land adjacent to the Forth and Clyde Canal, at the northern entrance to the v
Caldwell Cleaning ServicesHorizon Reinforcing & Crane Hire Co LtRBT Underfloor LimitedBurnside Plant Hire LtdBurnside Plant Hire LtdJ Building Contractors LtdMC Drilling LtdTHE HOME ARCHITECTCrown Street Lighting LtdSinclair Industries Ltd