Recycling Roundup 13th August

Recycling Roundup 13^th August

Wigan’s recycling rate increased to 54% from April to July because more people are recycling and they’re recycling correctly. The council introduced three-weekly black bin collections back in September when the recycling rate was just 43%. EU regulations stipulated that recycling rates had to be at least 50%, or the local authority would face a fine.

As many residents are enjoying picnics and BBQs in the warmer weather, the council have also taken the opportunity to remind them to recycle their food waste, drinks cans, and plastic and glass bottles.

The council offers free caddy liner to residents to make it easier for people to use their kitchen caddy and green bin for food waste.

The council say that recycling garden and food waste plays an important role when it is turned into compost and it has thanked residents for doing their bit. It says money can now be spent on frontline service rather than on managing excessive amounts of waste.

A bomb squad attended a recycling centre in Wythenshawe in Manchester following reports of a suspicious package. The centre was put on lockdown, workers were evacuated, and people were asked to avoid the area. The area was cordoned off by the police while they investigated but it was reopened after a few hours when officers concluded that the area was safe.

Three-weekly rubbish collections might have had a bad press, but in Rochdale, recycling rates have improved since they were introduced. A report produced by the independent consultancy Eunomia found that the kerbside recycling rate has increased by 16.7% since the council introduced the less frequent waste collections three years ago.

The council said it introduced a three-weekly cycle of dry recyclables and waste alongside a new weekly collection of food and garden waste in October 2015. Since then, recycling rates have increased from 37% to 53.7% in 2017-18.

The council has praised residents for making an effort and has also recognised the hard work that has been done by its waste and recycling teams. Their efforts have helped the council achieve its 50% recycling target two years early.