West Lothian Council is investing in new machinery to tackle waste contamination and improve recycling performance, aiming to maximise high-quality recyclable material and reduce costs. The new equipment includes a Caterpillar MH3022 Material Handler and a CAT 930M Front Loading Shovel, replacing hired machinery to provide greater efficiency and long-term value.
Investment in New Equipment
The council's new Caterpillar MH3022 will replace a previously hired Material Handler, offering greater efficiency and longer-term value for money. The new CAT 930M Front Loading Shovel will provide improved loading capacity and increased turnaround times for loading waste and recycle materials. Both machines will reduce maintenance costs over the next few years, improve recycling, generate income, and ensure public money isn't spent on waste landfill costs.
Reducing Contamination
Contaminated waste is any material or substance present in the bin which shouldn't be there. Food and liquid contamination are the main issues facing recycling in West Lothian. The new equipment enables operators to clearly identify and manage materials being loaded into waste and recycling trailers, improving the quality of materials sent for re-processing and helping to increase the amount of waste successfully recycled while reducing running costs.
Financial Benefits
Recycling facilities provide financial rebates to councils based on both the quantity and quality of recyclable material they receive. These funds are reinvested into local services, benefiting communities across West Lothian. By reducing contamination, the council can avoid recyclable loads being rejected and diverted to Energy from Waste plants, which is significantly more costly. Improving material quality will support higher recycling rates across West Lothian.
Council Comments
Executive councillor for Environment & Sustainability Tom Conn said: “This is another great example of the investment in plant and equipment for our Waste Disposal operation bringing the most modern and best specification to the front-line operations. Picking up household bins is obviously one of the many critical parts in the waste and recycling process, but there are so many facets to the entire process. It is simple; the more you recycle, the more money is re-invested in your local services. The most critical part in this entire process is, however, the part each of us plays in placing the correct material in the correct bins; dry and clean.”
David Maule, Head of Operational Services for West Lothian Council added: “Residents are perhaps not aware but if contaminated materials are placed into household bin, we need to pay to have those materials disposed of. However, if we are able to recycle the waste, we receive income from waste processors who recycle and repurpose waste. So the more we are able to recycle, the greater the financial return the council receives from the re-processing of materials such as food, paper, cardboard, metals and plastics. This income is then reinvested directly into local services. We are very grateful to the households who are taking the time and effort to recycle their household waste correctly. Tens of thousands of households are recycling correctly and ensuring the correct materials are placed in the correct bins – clean and dry. This is helping to increase recycling. This investment in new machinery will also reduce our reliance on hired equipment, delivering savings over time. The new Material Handler, alongside our Caterpillar Front Loading Shovel, will improve loading speeds, reduce turnaround times for collection vehicles and increase efficiency across our haulage operations.”
Residents' Role
Residents play a vital role by using their different coloured household bins correctly and ensuring materials are clean and suitable for recycling. The council encourages households to continue recycling correctly to help increase recycling rates and generate income for local services.
