Householders will have to complete paperwork before they dump waste at a Ross-shire recycling centre.
From May 18 people who wish to bring their waste to Dingwall Recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, sign written vehicle and/or a trailer will be required to complete a Household Waste Declaration form before visiting the site or face being turned away.
The plan, approved by community services committee in November last year, aims to improve the operation of recycling centres by driving down waste from commercial operators, increasing recycling and improving skip availability at peak times for householders.
The change for Dingwall Recycling Centre follows the introduction of a pilot scheme at Alness last May and will be rolled out to other key recycling centres in the council area over the coming months.
But one councillor has criticised the move as “an inconvenience”.
Dingwall-based Councillor Margaret Paterson said: “People will find it a bit of a nuisance to be honest. Many people have a trailer with them when disposing of their waste.
“I presume they are trying to stop tradesmen dumping commercial waste as household waste. I think this is a bit like using a hammer to break a nut.
“There must be an easier way. It is going to be quite an inconvenience for people to have to go and fill in a form. Surely we can take people at their word when they come into the recycling centre? It is a bit sad. I think it is a bit over the top to ask them to fill in a form.
“I hope it wont cause fly tipping. Some people might just say, ‘we can’t be bothered with that,’ and just dump it somewhere.
“I think we have to be very careful when we make these decisions.”
Colin Clark, the council’s head of environmental and regulatory services, said: “These facilities are provided for householder generated waste only. Waste disposed of through the council’s network of recycling centres costs around £150 a tonne in landfill tax and disposal charges so we have duty to ensure that the costs of disposal of waste from businesses are borne by the waste producer and not council tax payers.”
Householders planning to visit Dingwall Recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, or a sign written vehicle or trailer can pick up a form at Service Points in Dingwall, Fortrose, Muir of Ord, Lochcarron, Kyle of Lochalsh and Broadford or from Dingwall Leisure Centre.