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North Lanarkshire Council hits the street in huge recycling drive ››
North Lanarkshire Council hits the street in huge recycling drive
North Lanarkshire, Scotland’s fourth largest authority, has taken a massive step towards meeting its recycling targets by becoming the first council in the United Kingdom to provide node◦® recycling systems within easy reach of every tower block and multi-occupancy home within the region.
It’s a significant programme, with over 200 units being provided throughout the authority, but it’s not the size of the scheme which makes the North Lanarkshire initiative different from standard communal recycling plans. What makes the scheme stand out is the importance placed on the local community environment when considering how to bring recycling to those residents who, until now, had to travel if they wanted to use recycling facilities.
Community infrastructure was a significant consideration when planning communal recycling in North Lanarkshire, and great emphasis was placed on how the areas would look after recycling was introduced. That goal of community improvement led the recycling team to side-step utilitarian recycling points and instead opt for a more aesthetic approach for their residents; one which provided recycling without impairing the community environment.
The final selection for these communal recycling points was the node◦ system from Taylor. Each node◦® 360 unit has a massive 3,200 litre capacity, and the system was specifically designed to allow local authorities the option of providing their residents with aesthetically pleasing recycling facilities.
Councillor Helen McKenna, Convener of Environmental Services with North Lanarkshire Council has already highlighted that this project is a significant step forward for the recycling initiative, and that local residents have shown enthusiasm for the extended blue bin collections.
It’s a view endorsed by Kenneth Wilson, the council’s Head of Land Services, who points out that the node◦ system from Taylor now brings accessible recycling to more than 8,800 additional households.
"We're very proud of our new recycling scheme,” says Mr Wilson. “And we look forward to seeing North Lanarkshire residents making a positive difference to our recycling rates in the very near future." Early recovery rates of materials are very positive and exceeding initial expectations.
Scotland’s Area Business Manager for Taylor, Bobby Gavin, added: “All research into community recycling shows that the more accessible the recycling point, the higher the level of public participation. North Lanarkshire are to be congratulated therefore for looking at two areas highlighted by the Scottish Government as key in reaching Zero Waste (multi-occupancy homes & recycle on the go) and providing their residents with a stylish purpose built solution. I’ve also heard that the node◦ system has already been nick-named the
“Space-Bins” because of their unique shape. I think that’s a good indication of acceptance by the ultimate judges of the project; the local residents who now have accessible recycling on their door-steps.”