Five things you need to know today

The scheme, which means kerbside recycling change for more than 140,000 households, was launched in September and is being introduced in phases throughout the year.

According to the latest figures, updated collections have resulted in an increase of more than 100% in recycling rates on average for the households involved.

Changes, which include expanded capacity for recycling and a simplified collections process, have also seen the amount of waste sent to landfill reduced, with homes in the first phase experiencing a 34% drop and those in the second phase sending on average 23% less to landfill.

The third phase of the roll-out, affecting approximately 20,000 properties, is due to begin in March. A full list of the streets involved is available on the Council website.

Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “The roll-out of Edinburgh’s new kerbside recycling service is now in full swing and the latest statistics show just what an impact it’s having on residents’ attitudes to recycling.

“As the changes are implemented across the city, I have been impressed by the willingness of people to play their part, not in the least thanks to the work of our recycling advisors to help the public to adapt.

“Having said that, there is always room for improvement, and we will continue to work with communities to raise awareness of the importance of recycling, helping them to adjust to their new bin collections.”

New grey bins will begin being delivered to phase three homes at the beginning of March. On the householders’ start date, their existing green wheelie bin will be emptied of general waste for the last time before being use for recycling. Blue boxes will still to be used for glass as well as small electrical items and food and garden recycling will continue as normal.

It is hoped increasing space and capacity for mixed recycling will support the Council’s pledge to recycle 70% of the city’s waste by 2025.

As well as providing environmental benefits, increasing recycling rates can save the Council millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money spent on landfill costs.

Visit the recycling pages on the Council website for more information.

***

People in Edinburgh are being urged to submit nominations for this year’s Scottish Education Awards before the deadline on Monday 16 February 2015.

The awards, which celebrate the achievements of schools and teachers across Scotland, have attracted hundreds of nominations so far, but many more schools and individuals are worthy of acknowledgment.

Last year, Tollcross Primary and the Literacies for Employability East programme were named as finalists at the Scottish Education Awards 2014. 

Councillor Paul Godzik, City of Edinburgh Council Education Convener, said: “The capital has a wealth of talented teachers and staff working across the education sector illustrated last year with both Tollcross Primary School and our Literacies for Employability East programme being shortlisted.

“Each school has its own projects and successes involving both pupils and teachers and it would be great for as many of these to be recognised nationally at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.  I would encourage people in Edinburgh to come forward and nominate the people, schools and projects that have made a difference to education in their local communities.”

There is a wide variety of award categories which recognise and reward the dedication of teaching staff and educational supporters who go the extra mile.  Entry is open to all publicly funded schools including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools. 

Nominations can only be accepted online.  To nominate a school, teacher, headteacher or support staff member, or for more information on the award categories, go to www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk. 

***

Kwik Fit celebrated its 30^th year on Edinburgh’s Corstorphine Road this weekend.  To mark the anniversary, Kwik Fit took the centre back in time to 1985, the year of Breakfast Club, Wham!’s Careless Whisper and Marty McFly time travelling in the classic Back to the Future film series.

As Marty McFly travelled from 1985 to 2015, this Saturday saw the appearance of ‘Doc Brown’ and his DeLorean DMC-12 time machine at Kwik Fit (photos available).  As well as featuring 1980s music and fancy dress, Saturday saw the centre roll back the years on prices. Playing on the 1985 theme, MoTs, wheel alignments, tyre and oil changes cost from just £19.85.

The branch opened on 1 February 1985 as a simple tyre and exhaust centre, and over the three decades since has been transformed into one of Kwik Fit’s leading centres offering advanced services for customers, such as servicing, MOTs, laser wheel alignment and air conditioning recharge.  Its reception area has been hugely upgraded with free wi-fi, TVs and free drinks.

‘Doc Brown’ presented one member of the team with a long service award. Muirhouse resident, John Campbell, joined Kwik Fit through its youth programme after leaving school in the 1980s and has worked his way from being a fitter to Assistant Manager of the Corstorphine branch.

John Campbell commented: “The centre has changed a lot over the three decades I have worked here, improving every year and this is a great way to celebrate how far the centre has come. It is not only much more inviting for customers now, but also a fanstastic place to work, which is one of the reasons why I’m still here after 30 years!”

The anniversary highlights Kwik Fit’s long term dedication to Edinburgh’s motorists through providing a high quality auto repair service for the local community.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit said: “We invited everyone to come down on Saturday and enjoy going back to the future. We hope that it highlights our commitment to continued investment as Edinburgh is vital to our ongoing success.  And it’s amazing to think that we are now offering services like laser alignment and wi-fi that in 1985 would have been viewed by many as science fiction.  Who knows what services we will be able to offer in another 30 years.”

***

Our latest flash competition will give you the chance to win two tickets for the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival this weekend.

Enter here.