School recycling costs criticised

The recycling charges have come in for criticism

A Borders secondary school has claimed that taking part in a recycling scheme is costing it thousands of pounds.

Galashiels Academy, one of nine secondaries in the Eco Schools project, initially received 200 free bags from Scottish Borders Council.

Now the schools are charged 60p for each bag lifted, which the Academy says is running up significant charges.

The council said that the schools were aware of the charging policy when they joined the scheme.

All nine Borders secondaries are currently taking part in the project - which is to be rolled out to half the area's primaries next year.

Environmental awareness

Some, like Hawick Academy, have said they are unconcerned at the charges.

At Galashiels, however, they believe that increasing environmental awareness among pupils has made the scheme grow in popularity.

The school said other regions did not charge for collection and claimed that the price could put the policy at risk.

The authority has said the charges - the same as the rate for businesses - were clear from the outset.