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Foreword by Western Isles Waste Strategy Area Group
(WSAG) Chair
I am very pleased to present the first ever Western
Isles Area Waste Plan (AWP). The Western Isles Waste Strategy Area Group
has been working hard since early 2000 to prepare a long-term, integrated
plan for the management of waste in the Western Isles. This process
has been carried out in consultation with a range of stakeholders from
the public and private sectors, including individual members of the
public, community organisations, voluntary groups and industry representatives.
I would like to thank everyone involved for their constructive comments.
The Western Isles is unlike mainland Scotland in
many ways, not least in terms of the added cost and logistical complexities
associated with managing waste in such a remote area. Furthermore, the
indigenous industries of crofting, fishing, fish-production/processing
and agriculture are subject to increasing regulatory and economic pressures
– it is vital that this and future plans support rather than threaten
their future stability. The development of this plan and, in particular,
the proposals for long-term waste management solutions for household
and commercial waste, were carried out with this in mind, and with a
view to leaving room for cross-sector partnerships in future.
The Western Isles currently disposes of almost all
its municipal solid waste to landfill sites – this plan proposes
a step change away from this approach, and will require a radical shift
in the way those living and working in the area to think about and manage
their waste. First and foremost, there is a pressing need to prevent
waste occurring at source. The waste that is produced must be viewed
and managed as a valuable local resource – in practice this means
re-using and recycling as much waste as possible. Landfill disposal
is the final resort. These are the challenges that face us all. This
plan will not work without everyone in the Western Isles doing something
now, and in years to come – Annex 2 provides a detailed Action
Plan for the area.
One of the main focuses of the plan is the diversion
of biodegradable municipal wastes from away from landfill and into more
sustainable systems that recover value or utility in some way (these
wastes include paper, card, kitchen wastes and garden wastes). The challenges
posed by the EU Landfill Directive in this regard are considerable,
but this plan nevertheless aims to deliver a self-sufficient local solution.
This plan is very much a ‘live’ document.
As more detailed local data and information become available, and as
new technologies and pieces of legislation emerge, it will be important
to review and, if necessary, amend the AWP accordingly. The plan should
reflect both local and national circumstances, and respond positively
to external change.
The plan proposes a way forward for the next 20
years. It has been integrated with Scotland’s ten other AWPs to
provide a National Waste Plan for Scotland. For the plans to work, and
work they must, we have to ensure that the strategic direction proposed
is sensible and workable. There is no option other than to change the
way we deal with our waste. I would encourage everyone in Western Isles
to play an active part.
Tom Anderson
Chair, Western Isles Waste Strategy Area Group
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