Firstport

Community recycling.

Arran Recycling Community Organisation (ARCO) is a not-for-profit community membership organisation established in 1989 to help reduce, recover and recycle the waste that is produced on the beautiful Isle of Arran. Historically the waste on Arran has been going to landfill at the municipal tip located on the shore in Brodick at a rate of 5000 tonnes per annum. The community and Local Authority recognise this is not a long-term option and working in partnership with other agencies ARCO are developing a more sustainable approach. ARCO, with its partners, is developing a number of initiatives to investigate the best environmental options for the future of waste management on Arran. Established over 12 years ago our role has changed from a pressure group that organised some recycling activities to that of a partnership community organisation. Working with others, we will seek to implement a sustainable waste management system for Arran. Our waste is our problem and we have to work to find solutions. ‘Local people finding working solutions’ is our philosophy and our aim. ARCO represents, and is made up from, the communities who live, work and visit Arran. Through representation, consultation and co-operation we work to introduce changes which will reduce the unsustainable practise of landfill and illegal dumping. We have secured funding from various partners to undertake pilot projects exploring new ways to treat waste. We are reintroducing a community collection scheme and are working on sourcing new markets for the material we collect. We are also funding research into developing new products and markets for the resource at present called waste. We are looking out to other island communities and remote rural areas to see if we can learn and share experiences.

1. Grays Cottage
2. Kings Cross
3. Isle of Arran
4. KA27 8RG

• Tel: 01770 700586
• Website: www.recyclingarran.com/

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