From 3 December Shetland residents will have the chance to have their say on the development of recycling initiatives in the isles. While most of Shetland's/Orkney's waste is incinerated, there is still scope to reduce, reuse and recycle. The Shetland Waste Strategy Group is looking for the opinions of local individuals and organisations who want to help develop solutions for effectively managing the 60,000 tonnes of waste disposed of each year.

Susan Haslam of SEPA, who is co-ordinating the group's work, said: "We're all producers of waste, so it's vital that everyone has their say. We're going to be asking people if they'd be prepared to separate their rubbish to help recycling. We also want to know what they think about composting, reuse and a range of other important issues - like cost and distance."

There are a number of ways to find out more or get involved:

• Complete the questionnaire supplement in the Shetland Times on 13 December.
  
  
• Attend the seminar for businesses to be held in January.
  
  
• Share your views with your local community council, which will automatically receive a copy of the consultation document. (Local businesses will also get a copy automatically.)
  
  
• Get a copy of the full consultation document and questionnaire supplement by phoning SEPA on 01349 860367, emailing shetlandwaste@sepa.org.uk or visiting www.sepa.org.uk
  
  

The European Union requires that every member state produces a waste strategy. Scotland is split into 11 waste areas, each of which has to produce a plan detailing how waste will be managed in that area for the next 20 years. The members of the waste strategy group include public bodies, business, and environmental and community groups.

Notes to editors

1. For more information, interviews or photo opportunities please contact:

· Susan Haslam or Tom Anderson (chair of waste group) on 01349 862021 or email susan.haslam@sepa.org.uk

· Shetland Islands Council - Stephen Cooper 01595 693535

2. Jpegs of waste related photos are available from Stewart Argo, Public Relations Officer by emailing stewart.argo@sepa.org.uk The photos feature collections of waste (eg bottles, cans, fly-tipping) and various stages in the waste management process (eg wheelie bin, bottle bank, landfill site).