New electrical recycling collection service introduced to four Sutherland communities
A new recycling collection service is being introduced for householders in four communities in Sutherland, as well as elsewhere in the Highlands.
Residents in Golspie, Melvich, Bettyhill and Kinlochbervie can now take their waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to a central collection point for disposal.
ILM Highland launched the new monthly household electrical recycling collection service earlier this month in partnership with Highland Council.
This follows the award of £135,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund.
The funding is being used to buy a new van for ILM Highland, a social enterprise based in Teaninich Industrial Estate, Alness, to use for the monthly WEEE collections, as well as to provide new facilities at four household waste recycling centres.
The new service covers communities with limited access to household waste recycling centres.
As well as the four Sutherland communities, it also covers Fort Augustus, Caol, Kinlochleven, Mallaig, Kingussie, Aultbea, Kyleakin, Lochcarron, Raasay and Sconser.
A spokesperson for the service said: “ILM will collect unwanted electrical items, whether they are working or broken. We’ll accept anything with a plug, cable, or standard household battery regardless of size.
“Where possible, items will be repaired and reused, and all other components will be responsibly recycled, helping to reduce electrical waste and protect our environment.”
David Gunn, operations manager at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see recycling and reuse being made more accessible to rural communities through this new service.
“By supporting households across the Highlands to recycle their electrical items - whether broken or in working order, this initiative is not only helping to reduce waste but also playing a vital role in Scotland’s journey towards a more circular economy.”
The service will be at Melvich and Bettyhill Bettyhill public toilets on the third Monday of each month from 11am-1pm, and at Kinlochbervie harbour on the third Wednesday of each month from 11am-1pm.
A digital flyer featuring collection points, dates and contact details is available upon request. Call 01349 884774.
