Congratulations to the City of Edinburgh Council on Excellent Environmental Performance

6.45.50pm GMT Thu 1st Jan 2009

The Edinburgh South Lib Dem Parliamentary Team of Fred Mackintosh and Mike Pringle MSP has praised the Lib Dem led City of Edinburgh Council's environmental credentials after it was revealed that Edinburgh produces less waste per household than any other Scottish local authority.

In 2008 each of Edinburgh's household's produced 1.18 tonnes, well below the Scottish average of 1.44. The City also sent only 881Kg of waste per household to landfill, Scotland's second lowest level. The news follows several improvements that the City of Edinburgh Council have made in recycling provision this year, including the winter collection of brown bins for garden waste.

The Edinburgh South Lib Dem Team campaigned for many years for community recycling centres - like this one at Cameron Toll - to be supplemented by real doorstep and on street recycling

Mike Pringle said, "This is great news for Edinburgh; it just goes to show that when you take positive measures to reduce waste and improve the environment you can make a real difference. The Scottish Government made a commitment earlier this year to recycling 70% of Scotland's waste by 2025. If they are to have any hope of achieving that target it is vital that they support the efforts of successful local councils such as Edinburgh.

"One possible solution would be to look at the feasibility of recognising or rewarding local authorities for environmental best practice or initiatives."

Fred Mackintosh commented, "The Lib Dem team led by Councillor Robert Aldridge it getting things done and making a difference. For years Labour neglected recycling until a Lib Dem Minister forced them to act in 2002. Now without the burden of a Labour Council our city is powering ahead in this important area."