AROUND 40 per cent of all household waste produced in Inverclyde in 2021 ended up going to landfill.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) released figures for the amount of waste produced by householders in the district.

In 2021, Inverclyde generated 26,632 tonnes of waste.

A total of 12,905 tonnes - 48 per cent - was recycled.

A further 2,651 tonnes (10 per cent) was diverted from dumps, but another 10,822 tonnes still ended up in landfill.

In 2020, Inverclyde generated more waste, at 29,010 tonnes, and 10,760 tonnes of it, or 37 per cent, was recycled, with 16,149 tonnes (56 per cent) going to landfill.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's environment and regeneration convener, says the area is 'moving in the right direction' when it comes to recycling but recognises that a lot more can be done.

He claims the 'underfunding of local government' could get in the way of that goal.

Cllr McCormick added: "We will always strive to make improvements where we can to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.

"That is something, as we can see from the latest figures, that a large proportion of the Inverclyde population is on board with.

"We are in a climate emergency and we must, collectively and individually, do all we can to lower our carbon footprint and prevent any further damage to our planet.

"With council finances being squeezed and budgets under severe strain due to underfunding of local government, our ability to make further improvements is becoming extremely difficult.

"We are forced, once again, to look at cutting staff and services and increasing charges and fees to help balance the books, something we have to do by law.

"That is not a position we ever want to be in, especially at a crucial time like this with the future of the planet at stake."

The Literati Guide to Inverclyde group which campaigns on the environment and helps organise community litter picks is concerned by the latest statistics.

One of its founding members, Vicky Cookson, says 40 per cent of household waste going to landfill is 'too much'.

She added: "Inverclyde was the best in Scotland at recycling in 2014 when 56 per cent of our household waste was recycled.

"Since then other areas have moved forward and we have dropped to 48 per cent.

"There are lots of opportunities for us to improve our recycling moving towards a more circular economy.

"Every little action we take to keep waste out of landfill and recycle more, makes a difference."

*To find out more about where to recycle in Inverclyde visit www.literatiguide.org/reduce-reuse-recycle