Stirling's first Zero Waste Community has been launched at Stirling's Riverside.

Local residents gathered for the launch of the pioneering pilot project at a festive 'Winter Home Composting Day' held at the Riverbank Centre.

The event, organised by Riverside Community Council, local groups, residents and Stirling Council’s Waste Services, is the first in a series of initiatives to support Riverside as Stirling's First Zero Waste Community.

The launch forms part of a larger programme of events encouraging householders in the community to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle leading to as little waste being sent to Landfill as possible.

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Giving helpful advice during the day was members of Going Carbon Neutral Riverside, Master Composters from Forth Environment Link, a composting representative from WRAP and refreshments by the Stirling Fairtrade Group.

Local people picked up useful tips on reducing household waste, making comport, learning composting methods help to reduce our carbon footprint.

Stirling Council residents currently recycle almost 43% of all waste collected - one of the highest recycling rates in the country.

The green waste and cardboard collected in brown bins enable the production of quality assured 'Castle Compost'.

Stirling Council Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Environment Services Councillor Jim Thomson said: "The pressures on local authorities to divert biodegradable waste from Landfill are set to get tougher and tougher, by 2025 we are expected to recycling at least 75% of our wastes.

"Riverside is a community which has shown a positive approach towards its environmental responsibilities and I believe that Riverside can demonstrate that meeting challenging recycling targets is achievable. We must all remember that recycling is ultimately about our social responsibility in leaving our environment in a better state for future generations."

(GK/JM)