Suffolk county council has revealed that it now has six civic amenity sites operating independently of the authority which are levying charges for depositing waste.
The authority still runs 11 sites of its own, which it describes as household waste recycling centres, where residents can take waste free of charge. The six other sites were previously council-run but are now operated by companies or organisations having been closed earlier this summer due to council budget cuts.
Councillor Lisa Chambers, Suffolk county councils portfolio holder for waste told letsrecycle.com: Suffolk county council provides a good network of 11 household waste recycling centres across the county free of charge. The overwhelming majority of residents are within 20 minutes of their nearest council waste site.
As well as the council sites there are many alternative ways of disposing of unwanted goods including charity shops, recycling firms and now the six new community recycling centres operated by local organisations.
Cllr Chambers added: Thanks to the ingenuity and commitment of Suffolks communities, were working very differently to the way we were two years ago. I firmly believe that by co-operating with our partners as we are now, Suffolk can reach its ambitions 60% recycling target by 2015.
The six sites which are now operated by other groups, with cost of use are:
- Bramford (opened in September), same hours as county sites but from 9 am on Sundays: Non-recyclable items 6, recyclable items free;
- Brome (opened in September), same hours as county sites but from 9am on Sundays: Non- recyclable items 6, recyclable items free;
- Beccles (opens October), to coincide with closure of existing household waste site, will operate 9am-4pm at B&B Skips, Beccles Business Park: Cars 4, estates 6;
- Chelmondiston (now open. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Satudray 9am-4.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm): From 3 for a car up to 20 for a van or large trailer;
- Newmarket (opened August, daily 10am- 4pm): From 3 for a car to 12 for a van/large trailer. Free for items with a recycle value;
- Southwold (now open, same hours as county sites): From 3 for car to 12 for van or large trailer. Free for items with a recycle value.
Bolton Brothers
The sites at Bramford and Brome, which were closed by the county at the end of July due to budget cuts, are being run by Bolton Brothers Recycling & Waste Management of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich.
Reuben Bolton, commercial director at Bolton Brothers, said: Visitors to the sites at Bramford and Brome will have to pay for unsorted waste or anything which cant be recycled, and therefore goes to landfill, but if they sort and recycle their waste they can dispose of it free of charge. The charge for non-recyclable or unsorted waste, which will go to landfill, will be 6 (including VAT) for each car load or domestic-type trailer.
Mr Bolton compared the approach to that found elsewhere in Europe. The proposal we have put together is very similar to the leading recycling countries in Europe such as Germany. The emphasis is on recycling and we do not want to penalise the people who want to recycle however landfill costs have to be covered therefore we have no choice but to charge for unsorted waste.
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