Issued: 16 December 2002
Top Angus Recyclers Rewarded
Two Angus residents have been recognised for their hard work in ensuring that everyday rubbish has a new lease of life.
A Recycler of the Year Competition was organised by Angus Council to recognise local people who are committed to recycling their household waste.
The winner in the youth category was six-year-old Kieran McGurk of Provost’s Walk, Monifieth, while Christine Robertson of Patrick Allen Fraser Street in Arbroath, took the adult prize.
The judges thought Kieran’s hard work in sorting all the household recycable material into different bags, and helping carry them to the local recycling site in Monifieth each week, deserved to be recognised.
The judges were also impressed by Christine’s efforts in not only promoting the recycling message to friends and colleagues, but practising what she preaches by running her own recycling plant at home.
Kieran and Christine were presented with their prizes by Environmental and Consumer Protection Convener Sheena Welsh at Monifieth Recycling Centre (10.30am Monday 16 December).
Presenting Kieran with his mountain bike and Christine with a DVD player, Councillor Welsh revealed that the organisers were delighted to receive 60 entries for the competition.
“I am pleased that our first Recycler of the Year Competition attracted so many entries - this highlights the important role that householders across the county are playing in recycling everyday goods,” said Councillor Welsh.
“The nominations revealed a high level of commitment to recycling, but for sheer dedication to the recycling message, Kieran and Christine are worthy winners.
“Over 11,000 tonnes of material was recycled in Angus last year, including glass, textiles and paper - more than twice that recycled five years ago.
“This shows how the council is working effectively with local people to recycle everyday products. It is important to recognise the role that householders play in this process - without the dedication residents show towards recycling, the efforts of the council would be less successful.”
Councillor Welsh also took the opportunity to urge local people to follow Kieran and Christine’s example and recycle the extra waste generated over the festive season.
She said: “Christmas may be a time for giving but it can result in a lot of environmentally damaging waste - just think of all those drinks cans and empty bottles.
“However the festive season can be eco-friendly as well as enjoyable, and Angus Council hopes that local people will visit their local recycling centres and make sure it’s a green Christmas in the county.”
To ensure local people can dispose of their Christmas waste, Angus Council is opening its manned recycling centres on Boxing Day from 11am to 3pm.
Among the items which can be taken for recycling are glass bottles and jars, cardboard, aluminium and steel drink cans, aluminium foil and plastic lemonade bottles and milk containers.
The recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and 2 January. For further information on recycling in Angus call the council’s ACCESS Line on 08452 777778 or the recycling officer on (01241) 435600.