Waveney's recycling scheme

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What have we been doing?

Between 2003 and 2005 we succeeded in rolling out the "three bin scheme" to all households in the District. You may have seen press coverage of the introduction of the scheme for collecting recyclable materials and green waste separately.

Recovery

Suffolk County Council are looking in to how to deal with residual waste in the future as we run out of landfill space, face huge fines and need a more environmentally acceptable method of disposal.
For further information please visit the SCC website at: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/thefutureofwaste

How does the scheme work?

Households participating in the scheme have received two extra wheeled bins - one green and one blue. Their waste is collected on a 2-week rotational basis (known as "Alternate Weekly Collections"). One week we collect the rubbish in the black-wheeled bin, the next we collect the material for recycling in the blue and the green bins. (The green bins are collected by a different vehicle on the same week as the blue bin collections.)

How successful has it been so far?

About 98% of the households in the District are using the scheme to some extent. This level of commitment from the residents of Waveney has meant that we are currently diverting about 46% of our domestic kerbside collection waste away from landfill and into recycling or composting.

How have people in Waveney responded to the Recycling collection scheme and additional bins?

We have seen a very good rate of take-up where the scheme has been introduced -- the first phase being in September 2003, and the second in December - of between 92% and 95%. Feedback from householders voicing support for the initiative far outweigh those with negative comment.
In fact some who originally did not want to take part have now decided to join the scheme.
This high take-up is already having a marked impact on the amount of waste being taken to landfill sites, some 45% to 50% being available for recycling or composting.

The biggest problem that we have had is trying to persuade people not to put waste destined for the blue or green bins into plastic bags before putting in the bin. It is not sensible in financial terms to spend time separating plastic bags from this waste - particularly the compostable type, and as a result the entire load is lost and treated as contaminated waste, returning to the landfill site stream, which is regrettable

What are we going to do next?

We are constantly working to ensure that householders have the information available to make the most of the scheme. We are also extending it where possible to include schools, so that the next generation can appreciate the benefits.

We are also out and about making sure that the right waste gets put into the right bins. If we identify bins where there appears to be a problem with getting the right waste in the right bin, we make home visits to provide advice and encouragement.

For further details please telephone (01502) 523561
Or email: recycling@waveney.gov.uk