Pitlochry residents are becoming “tyred” of recycling regulations that are hampering their efforts to boost Perthshire’s green credentials.
One man was left frustrated after trying to dispose of used tyres at his local recycling centre and being told that it wasn’t possible.
Timothy Youngman faced similar problems last year but, following a check on the Perth and Kinross Council website, believed that he had been given the wrong advice at the Pitlochry centre.
“I uplifted two used wheels and tyres that I found dumped in the Black Spout Wood last year,” he said.
“The operatives at the recycling centre refused to accept them and caused me no end of stress when I took them there to dump.
“I later discovered on the Perth and Kinross Council website that, as a householder, I am allowed to dump two tyres per visit at any of the eight manned recycling centres throughout Perthshire.”
Encouraged by this information, Mr Youngman returned to the Pitlochry recycling centre last week to dispose of two motorcycle tyres.
However, he was met with what he describes as “vociferous resistance” from staff on duty, who advised him that the website should have been changed and he was only allowed to take the items to Perth.
This second unsatisfactory encounter with his local recycling centre has left Mr Youngman feeling “annoyed and upset.”
He said, “I have tried to do my civic duty by removing litter from Black Spout Wood and have tried to negotiate a settlement with Perth and Kinross Council at Pitlochry recycling centre.
“I suffer from an anxiety disorder as a result of being caught up in atrocities in the Middle East and came home to Pitlochry to get away from stressful situations.
“I am perfectly entitled to dispose of two tyres per visit at the Pitlochry site and these comments were not at all helpful.
“To be told I could take the tyres to Perth was ridiculous. I do not travel to Perth very often and it would be very environmentally unfriendly to do so unless I was going there anyway.”
Mr Youngman said he was “extremely” disappointed by the attitude of the staff on duty and told The Courier that he did not appreciate being “treated like a fool.”
Despite the claims by staff at Pitlochry recycling centre, a spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that householders could indeed deposit up to two tyres at any recycling centre in the area.
He also extended the local authority’s apologies to Mr Youngman for the difficulties he has faced.
“The council is fully supportive of Mr Youngman’s endeavours and apologises for him not being permitted to deposit the two tyres at the Pitlochry recycling centre,” he said.
“Perth and Kinross Council fully supports actions undertaken by community groups and individuals to clean up their local environment.
“The council supports communities through activities such as National Spring Clean campaign where, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, we provide litter pickers, tabards and information.
“Over the last two years communities in Perth and Kinross have undertaken the highest number of litter picks in Scotland. This has included, in some situations, the council providing a skip for the litter or uplifting bags of collected rubbish.
“However, where groups or individuals are undertaking litter picks and large items may be collected, we would ask them to contact the council in the first instance in order to discuss the most appropriate disposal option.”