Plans for a new household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in Bristol to increase levels of reuse and recycling, were taken before the council’s cabinet last week.
Bristol city council has already confirmed it is committed to the delivery of a third HWRC to benefit the residents of Bristol and to offer an expanded recycling and reuse facility in the south of the city.
“I am really pleased that we are taking a big step towards getting this much needed recycling centre built.”
Kye Dudd
Bristol city council
As part of the 2017 budget process £4 million was allocated for the project, which will be wholly funded by the council.
Reuse facility
The centre would also include a reuse facility where good quality items that may previously have gone in to the waste stream can be saved and upcycled.
Councillor Kye Dudd, cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said: “I am really pleased that we are taking a big step towards getting this much needed recycling centre built.
“Over the last three years Bristol has been moving in the right direction by increasing reuse and recycling and we remain committed to reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. We have ambitious plans to increase our recycling rates in the city to 55% by 2020 and this facility will help us to achieve that goal.”
The site would be managed by Bristol Waste Company – a business set up by the authority.
‘Much needed’
Tony Lawless, managing director, Bristol Waste said: “We are excited to work with the Council on this much needed third HWRC. The expanded facilities will provide south Bristol residents with access to essential recycling services; reduce the strain on the existing centres and increase our potential to improve the already high levels of domestic waste recycling.”
Detailed plans will need to go back before cabinet for a final decision. It is then hoped that construction of the new recycling centre would start in the second half of 2019 with the facility opening in 2020.
Permit scheme
Meanwhile, in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, changes have been introduced at two of the council’s HWRC to help improve efficiency, reduce queue time and better manage waste disposal costs.
The council introduced a trial permit scheme at the end of November, for users of HWRCs in Brighouse and Elland. Residents display a permit in their vehicles to prove they live in Calderdale. This is to reduce usage of Calderdale HWRCs by residents of other nearby boroughs.
It’s hoped the scheme will cut down on queue times and help reduce waste disposal costs, the council said. Following the trial period, consideration will be given whether to extend the scheme across the borough. The council’s five HWRCs are managed by Suez.
Charges
Last week new charges were also introduced for disposing of plasterboard, hardcore and rubble at some of the recycling centers, which the authority says are “difficult and costly” to dispose of. Each bag of rubble will be charged at £2.50, with plasterboard bags at £3 per bag.
Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for communities and neighbourhood services, Cllr Susan Press, said: “We want to make sure that our Household Waste Recycling Centres can continue to operate and maintain existing opening hours. In order to do this, and while managing increasing savings requirements, it’s necessary to make some changes to the way our centres operate.
“These changes have been carefully considered, taking into account disposal costs and how other authorities operate.”
Register for free to comment