Press release from Argyll and Bute Council dated 8th September 2011.
The full recycling service on Islay and Jura is to be continued after Argyll and Bute Council and local organisation Re-JIG reached agreement on working together in the future.
The news means that Re-JIG will continue to provide all the services it has offered in the past, from sorting kerbside collections to collecting and selling unwanted furniture, household goods, books and clothes.
Councillor Robin Currie, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for rural and island affairs, housing and Gaelic and an Islay resident himself, said the news would be welcomed across the island communities.
“I am delighted that, following ongoing discussions over the last six months, we have now agreed a way forward which offers best value in terms of service delivery, both for the council and for Re-JIG,” he said.
“The news that the current service is to be maintained will I am sure be welcomed by everyone who is familiar with Re-JIG’s work.”
Re-JIG seeks to engage local communities and especially young people in the value of reducing, reusing and recycling materials which are commonly discarded.
It delivers key environmental messages, provides practical support for communities, involves young people through initiatives in local schools and youth groups and funds community groups by arranging beach cleans and paying out on the weight of rubbish gathered.
Re-JIG’s David Protherough said: “We are delighted to be offered this on-going contract to provide part of the recycling solution for Islay and Jura working in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council’s local team, helping to keep Islay and Jura Green and Clean. It also gives us the viability to maintain the re-use activities which are hugely popular within the community.”
Re-JIG’s red bag kerbside recycling scheme – for cans, any plastic containers and tetra packs – will continue to be collected fortnightly.
Re-JIG also operates a furniture and textile reuse project from its premises at Bridgend on Islay. Many items donated are sold in its reuse shop
