Zero choice not zero waste: SNP slammed on incineration

For immediate release 13 May 2010

The Scottish Greens slammed today's decision by the Scottish Government to approve the Invergordon incinerator, despite a clear rejection of the project by Highland Council in August last year. The Greens have supported local campaigners opposed to the project, which would require a long-term commitment to provide a regular waste stream and make real efforts to support recycling or waste reduction less achievable.

Robin Harper MSP said:

"Ministers talk about zero waste but what they really mean is zero choice. The Scottish Green Party fails to see what aspect of the national interest should drive the SNP Government to overrule the democratic decision taken by Highland Council to refuse permission for the incinerator proposed at Invergordon.

"Highland Council has made great progress in recycling, in particular through community recycling projects such as GREAN in Golspie. This decision will undermine the work of GREAN and other community projects in the Highlands.

"Community projects build social capital and keep profits from recycling in the local community. Large-scale incinerators export the profits and create local pollution, extra lorry journeys and emissions that worsen climate change."