| Comhairle Announces New Tyre Recycling Initiative |
19 August 2003 |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have introduced a more convenient and efficient on-site recycling process for tyres received at its landfill sites in response to recent changes in legislation. Only tyres over 1.4 metres in diameter will be permitted disposal in landfill sites under the new terms of the EC Landfill Directive, it has emerged. The Comhairle’s tyre recycling initiative will provide an on-site process for those tyres not permitted under the legislation to be disposed of as separate consignments of waste. This process has been approved by HM Customs and Excise, which will allow all separate consignments of waste tyres for recycling to be exempt from landfill tax. A purpose built horizontal baler, working at the Bennadrove Recycling Centre, will be used to bale used car and lorry tyres, arranged according to size, to form “gabion” blocks. Each block will contain approximately 170 tyres and weigh around a tonne. Tyres received at Rueval Landfill Site will be transported as required to Bennadrove Recycling Centre for processing. The blocks produced will initially be used as an engineering material for landfill site development works. However, there is considerable potential for other on-island uses as similar blocks have been used in other areas as a sustainable material for coastal erosion defences, road construction, and land stabilisation projects. Councillor Angus Nicolson, Chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Environmental Services Committee, added: “This unique and carefully planned recycling strategy will have many benefits for everyone in the Western Isles as it reduces the amount of waste going to landfill and the landfill tax burden. It illustrates once again that the Comhairle is fully committed to recycling as much waste as possible in the future”. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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