Exeter to push for 40% recycling rate under new action plan

In the last three years – up to 2004/05, the city has taken its recycling rates from 14% up to 20% thanks in part to extensive kerbside recycling services. And, the council believes it is now “on the brink” of hitting its 30% target set by the government for the end of this month.

” I am convinced that as a city we can do better. In every household bin, up to 60% of the contents can be recycled. Exeter residents are on average recycling 26% of their bin. “
– Cllr Barry McNamara, Exeter city council
But the new action plan sets a tougher target that will need more householders taking part in recycling schemes.

The city council has set its focus on maximising participation in recycling schemes, requiring new homes to have space for recycling containers, expanding the bring bank network and increasing the capacity of the city MRF.

The council is also reviewing the need for a separate kerbside collection service for glass.

Better
Cllr Barry McNamara, lead councillor for environment and leisure, said: “Exeter is ahead of the game in recycling, but I am convinced that as a city we can do better. In every household bin, up to 60% of the contents can be recycled. Exeter residents are on average recycling 26% of their bin.”

All 49,000 homes in Exeter are now on the “recycle from home” scheme, which sees dry recyclables collected each week for sorting at the city materials recycling facility. All homes are also offered an “opt in” garden waste collection scheme.

The city MRF, which started up in 2001, is to go through a 200,000 upgrade later this year, with the aim of improving its current 6,000 tonne annual capacity.

Campaign
To raise participation rates, more communications work is expected in Exeter to build on the county-wide “Don't Let Devon Go To Waste” campaign, which has helped bring about a significant increase in recycling in the city over the past year.

The council has also said it will continue to work to minimise the contamination of its recycling collections with enforcement officers. In 2004/05, 1,541 letters were issued by the council asking residents not to place non-recyclable materials in their recycling bins.

This year, the council has allocated 360 staff days to the visiting of householders to assist in their recycling activities.

Residual
Exeter's action plan also states that the council will be looking into the possible use of residual waste treatment to cut down on city landfill rates. The plan identifies mechanical biological treatment and energy-from-waste as likely contenders, stating: “The city council favours either MBT of the residual grey bin contents or waste to energy.”

Exeter's Marsh Barton was closed in December 1996 with the introduction of new emissions limits, while a Compact Power application for a pyrolysis plant for the same site has been turned down by Devon county planners.