Craig Hoy, MSP for the South of Scotland, has handed a petition signed by 2168 residents to East Lothian Council, calling for Macmerry Recycling Centre to be reopened following its closure in October 2023.
On Friday 3rd May, Craig hand delivered his petition to the council’s headquarters in Haddington.
Commenting after delivering the petition, Craig said: “It is very clear that the community wants the centre reopened. I receive complaints from annoyed residents complaining about the closure of the centre, many saying there has been an increase in fly tipping and long waits or time-consuming drives at the alternative centres”.
He added, “Kinwegar, North Berwick and Dunbar are feeling the pressure following the closure of Macmerry; local residents need somewhere convenient to take their recycling, especially with green bins now being collected every three weeks. Labour-run East Lothian Council must listen to the community and reopen Macmerry”.
Craig is committed to reopening the recycling centre and believes that, given the additional constraints already put on households by the cost-of-living crisis and pressure to address climate change, it is not reasonable to force people to drive further to dispose of their recycling.
He has also had reports of congestion near to other centres, and reports from residents annoyed by an increase in fly tipping locally.
