South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Net Zero and Energy Spokesperson Colin Smyth has highlighted the importance of Dumfries and Galloway’s new recycling scheme, following the publication of new figures on recycling.

The latest household recycling figures released recently showed that 30.1 per cent of household waste was recycled in the region in 2020. However, the figures cover the period before the new kerbside recycling scheme was implemented earlier this year and according to the local authority, it collected 1,200 tonnes of material in the first three months of the scheme, with food waste collection introduced for some of the region’s larger towns in October.

Colin Smyth has said that Dumfries and Galloway is playing catch up as a result of the “shambolic” previous doorstep recycling scheme implemented by the region’s Tory administration in 2012.

Colin said: “While the figures show a very small increase in household recycling between 2019 and 2020, what they really prove is how important and how welcome the new kerbside recycling scheme is in our region.

“Dumfries and Galloway has been forced to play catch-up when it comes to recycling due to the shambolic scheme which was agreed by the previous Tory administration in 2012.

“That scheme has thankfully been scrapped and has now been replaced by one which actually works. People in our region have really embraced the new scheme, which collected 1,200 tonnes of materials in the first three months.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to both the council and all householders who have taken the new scheme on board.

“As a result of the recycling programme the region will be in a stronger position to achieve net zero carbon status and play a part in tackling the climate crisis.