Inverness rubbish rules must change, says DIY enthusiast

A DIY enthusiast has said that unless you are taking a "banana skin and two yoghurt pots" there is no point going to Highland Council's recycling centres.

David Fraser (45), a software developer, said that after renovating his own home during the lockdown he has become increasingly frustrated with the rules imposed by Highland Council.

Mr Fraser, who lives on Crown Drive, said that he has been trying to take bags of old insulation to the Inverness waste recycling centre – but has been told he can not take them in his small white van, they do not fit in his two seater car, and he has now been told he can't walk into the centre.

He said: "The rules are simply ridiculous, and I feel the only way that we can not get them changed, we need to shame the council.

"The rules are so restrictive that unless you are recycling banana skin and two yoghurt pots then it is hard to get into the recycling centre.

"I am now thinking that I should do, as many others are to beat the rules, and buy an old estate car to be able to recycle at the centre."

Mr Fraser said he had even tried to walk into the centre with his old insulation to try and take it to the centre. "But I was told 'no."

He said wants Highland Council to consider adopting what happens in other regions, where a person recycling, as part of DIY or renovating their own homes, should be asked to sign a paper that confirms everything going into the centre is from that project.

He added: "It is the sensible thing to do. No one wants the £50,000 fine or imprisonment for dumping waste, and surely by making an assurance to Highland Council that should be enough to be able to take your own private vehicle to the recycling centre.
"The system doesn't work – and that is why there is so much debris everywhere."

A Highland Council spokesman said: “Before visiting a Highland Council waste recycling centre (HCWRC) we recommend that people make themselves aware of the rules in place at the centres. Guidance is on the council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/recycle which explains that soil, rubble, plasterboard, kitchen units, bathroom suites, doors and similar waste from small scale DIY activities is only permitted in cars and is limited to one visit per day. DIY waste cannot be taken to the HWRC in trailers or vans.

"There are alternatives for disposing of DIY type waste if anyone is not able to take it by car to a recycling centre. Check the list of items accepted and arrange a bulky waste collection from your home or call 01349 886603 (this service will incur a charge)."

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