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Town centre trade waste scheme launched

Renfrewshire businesses are being told to expect a knock on the door from council staff to check their waste arrangements are up to scratch.

The visits are taking place as part of a town centre trade waste initiative, aimed at improving the environment in local shopping and business areas.

Private firms are legally responsible for all waste generated by their business, and it is unlawful for them to dump it in public bins.

They are required to arrange for commercial waste to be collected by a contractor, which can either be the council or a private waste-collection firm.

Environmental protection officers will be visiting premises in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew over the next few weeks to discuss whether their trade waste arrangements are appropriate.

They will then follow these up with enforcement visits at a later date, to check whether firms are complying with their responsibilities.

The visits are taking place as part of the council’s Do Your Bit campaign, which will aim to encourage residents and businesses to help keep the area clean.

Officers will also be advising on how firms can prepare for upcoming changes to the law – as of 1 January 2014– requiring businesses to separate recyclable material while putting out their waste.

Councillor Eddie Devine, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said: “Trade waste can be anything from paper or food waste to large-scale industrial material.

“Clearly, any bags of rubbish left lying on the streets for longer than is necessary create a health risk, as well as being visually unattractive.

“We want our town centres to be clean and attractive places for people to live, shop, visit and do business, which will in turn boost trade.

“The aim of this scheme is to work with local businesses to achieve that, by helping with any issues they may have over how to dispose of their waste.

“This year, Renfrewshire will welcome large numbers of visitors when the Mod and The Spree festivals take place in Paisley, and we want the area to look at its best.

“A clean and tidy environment is in everybody’s interest and we want to encourage local businesses to take responsibility and do their bit to help achieve that.

“These visits are intended for us to offer advice – however, we will be reminding businesses that we have the right to take enforcement action against any who are not meeting their legal obligations.”

A web page has been created at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/towncentretradewaste to help answer any questions about the initiative.

For more information, businesses can also email am-serv.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0380.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X