A Jedburgh councillor has today launched a bid for Jedburgh to get its own recycling centre.
Councillor Scott Hamilton has said the time has come for Jedburgh to get its own recycling facility in a bid to boost SBC’s recycling rate.
Currently residents in Jedburgh have to travel to Hawick or Kelso to do their recycling. Across the Borders, Duns, Eyemouth, Gala, Hawick, Kelso, Peebles and Selkirk all have their own recycling facilities.
In 2016, the latest statistics available, Scottish Borders Council recycled 37% of its waste, significantly below the Scottish average of 45%. All councils in Scotland have a target to recycle 70% of household waste by 2025. SBC also sent 59% of its waste to landfill, far higher than the Scottish average of 45%.
John Lamont MP has backed Scott Hamilton’s campaign, saying that in order to improve recycling rates, it must be as easy as possible for residents to access facilities locally.
Commenting, Jedburgh Councillor Scott Hamilton said: “Jedburgh has suffered for a long time without adequate recycling facilities.
“During the council elections last year, there was a strong feeling of discontent with the non-existent provision for the town. I have been campaigning to have this rectified and Jedburgh brought back to a comparable level with other Border towns.
“The budget cuts coming from the Scottish Government make it difficult to argue for further spending in the council, however I do think this makes sense. We all have a duty to protect the environment and making recycling as easy as possible is one part of this.”
John Lamont MP agrees: “We all know the importance of recycling, but in order for residents to be encouraged to do so, we need to make it as easy as possible.
“Scottish Borders Council has struggled in the past to meet its recycling targets and so it needs to do more to make it easier for residents to recycle.
“While I appreciate budgets are tight, Jedburgh must not miss out on investment which has been provided elsewhere in the Borders.
“I back Councillor Hamilton’s drive to bring a facility to Jedburgh.”