Scottish authorities threaten penalties for not recycling
The Scottish government is currently contemplating fines of up to £100 per person for those who do not recycle their waste in Scotland. Even though recycling rates across the country have risen from just 6% in 2004 to 34% today this is still slightly short of the government’s 40% recycling target for 2010. In a sign that attitudes are changing within the government, those who do not recycle even the most basic of waste products may well see themselves fined up to £100 by the authorities.
Even though there are a growing number of people who agree with the significant investment in recycling plants and recycling depots across Scotland, and there are some who agree with potential penalties for those who do not abide by the new regulations, the vast majority of the Scottish population believe penalties for not recycling are a step too far. Where do these funds go? How will be used?
The truth is that, as with so many new strategies and programs by local authorities, income from penalties for those who do not recycle is likely to be added to the overall Scottish budget and unlikely to be specifically used for “green” purposes. Whether this defeats the object of the fines is debatable, as is the fact that taxpayers already pay for waste collection services, so should they face fines for not recycling?