Kerbside collection of beverage cartons reaches 66% of councils
The proportion of UK local authorities collecting beverage cartons for recycling from kerbside has hit 66%, according to the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK).
South Hams District Council in South Devon was the last authority to start collecting cartons at kerbside – bringing coverage to the 66% milestone. And if ACE UK’s own bring-bank system is included, 92% of UK local authorities now collect cartons for recycling.
Neil Greenhalgh, Operational Manager for Waste at South Hams District Council said: “This is a major milestone for recycling in the South Hams. Residents already recycle a lot of cartons at recycling banks and this will enable residents to recycle at home as well.”
“Our members – Tetra Pak, Elopak and SIG Combibloc – are extremely pleased that their strategy to increase kerbside collection and make it easier for residents to recycle cartons is paying dividends”, said Richard Hands, Chief Executive of ACE UK.
About 35% of beverage cartons are recycled at the UK’s only dedicated beverage carton recycling facility at Stainland, West Yorkshire, a joint venture between ACE UK and its partner Sonoco Alcore.
Beverage cartons can be turned into raw materials using a simple pulping process that separates the paperboard and non-fibre layers. The wood fibres can be used to make new paper products and the polymer and foil layers can be used to make items like construction materials.
Hart hits 10,000 garden waste subscribers
Hart district council in Hampshire has reached 10,000 subscribers to its garden waste collection service.
There has been a steady increase in the amount of garden waste being collected since the free-to-use service first began in 2004, the council has claimed. Over 3,700 tonnes of garden waste materials is currently being collected, shredded and composted resulting in the ‘Pro Grow’ soil conditioner.
Cllr Alan Oliver, Cabinet Member responsible for Waste and Recycling services commented: “This service allows residents to dispose of their garden waste with a fortnightly collection, saving them trips to the recycling centre with their garden cuttings and clippings. This scheme provides an environmentally friendly way of disposing of garden waste.”
Hart is also offering subscribers a discounted rate to trade in their sacks for wheeled bins.
More opening days for Powys recycling centres
Powys County Council in Wales will increase the opening days of its waste and recycling centres after confusing changes to schedule.
From September 1, the waste and recycling centres will be open five days a week, including weekends, and will allow residents to use their cars and trailers for their own household waste.
Earlier this year, the council reduced its opening days and vehicle restrictions as part of budget saving measures.
But Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, said “the changes that were introduced in April sent out mixed messages and attracted considerable comments from residents and the county’s elected representatives”.
He added: “Our household waste and recycling centres are an important tool to help the county meet recycling targets and avoid any future financial penalties from the Welsh Government.”
Plastic bags can line food waste bins in Vale of White Horse
Residents of the Vale of White Horse district council can now use plastic bags to line their food waste bins and caddies. 
Agrivert’s organic waste processing plant, used to recycle residents’ food waste, will accept thin plastic bags which will be removed by the plant and sent to an Energy Recovery Facility to be turned into energy.
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We are one of the top recyclers in the country, but we still throw away a significant amount of food waste, with a recent review showing that around 30% of the waste put out in the grey rubbish bins was food waste that could have been recycled.”
Cllr Tony Harbour, Cabinet Member for Waste at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We know that compostable bags can be expensive and easily tear, so it’s great news that the processing plant can now take plastic bags.”
Surrey says recycling food waste could save £3m a year
Surrey country council has found that over £3 million-a-year could be saved if Surrey residents put all their food waste in their caddy rather than in the rubbish.
It costs the council less than half to recycle food waste through anaerobic digestion than disposing of rubbish – making savings that could “help protect other council services like social care, libraries and schools”.
Surrey’s council will begin working with residents this autumn to encourage more recycling.
Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “Putting food waste in your caddy for collection is clean and easy when you use plastic bags instead of the old compostable liners which cost more and could easily leak or tear.
“If everybody put their food waste in their caddy Surrey’s councils would have more money to spend on the services residents value most.”
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