The Eco-Deco plant near Dumfries is unique in Scotland

The Eco-Deco development near Dumfries is unique in Scotland and has been credited with dramatically improving the region's recycling record.

It takes household waste and shreds and dries it before separating out anything which can be reused.

The plant is now up and running but will be officially opened by Princess Alexandra later this month.

The Eco-Deco process puts the dried and shredded waste through a complex system of sieves, fans and magnets to separate out recyclable elements.

I believe this system is far more simple and represents value for money Alastair Speedie Dumfries and Galloway Council

It isolates both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, glass and stone for use as aggregate, material for composting, and a solid fuel replacement with two-thirds the calorific value of coal.

It means only a small percentage of the waste received ends up in landfill.

General manager Andy Carey of Shanks Waste Management - which runs the plant for the council - said it could make a major impact.

"Over the year 65,000 tonnes of waste will be processed through the plant," he said.

"There will be a certain amount of reject material which will go to landfill but it will be dramatically reduced."

Different bins

Alastair Speedie of the council's environment department said the plant had already trebled the amount of waste being diverted from landfill.

It also does away with the need for householders to be issued with different bins for different types of rubbish.

"Basically we have one dirty bin that is picked up at the kerbside and that is picked up weekly - rather than a whole selection of bins where the right materials must go in the right bin.

"I believe this system is far more simple and represents value for money."