Plastic recycler Recresco has supplied more than 40 collection banks to Stroud District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council.
It became immediately apparent that an unprecedented number of plastic bottles would be entering the waste stream.
Beth Boughton, Cheltenham council
Around three million bottles are currently being brought into Gloucestershire everyday and Beth Boughton of Cheltenham Borough Council said “it became immediately apparent that an unprecedented number of plastic bottles would be entering the waste stream”.
She added: “We have an extensive plastic bottle recycling scheme in place in Cheltenham provided by bring banks sited around the town, including banks at four out of the five emergency water distribution centres.
“Keen to recycle as much of these as we possibly can, we have asked Recresco to place additional plastic recycling skips at all of the water distribution sites for a period of one month,'' she added.
In Tewkesbury alone, around 100,000 litres of bottled water are being delivered each day to 60 distribution points across the borough.
Council spokesman Chris Bosley said: “Tewkesbury Borough continues to suffer from the effects of the devastating flooding of many of our towns and villages.
“These additional bottle banks will provide much needed support to our established plastic recycling programme by handling the huge number of extra plastic bottles being distributed,” he added.
Collection
Recresco's vehicle fleet will also be collecting the bottles when the banks are full. The banks are emptied using a high pressure vacuum, which compacts the bottles.
The technology, designed by company director Steven Gent, allows Recresco's vehicles to carry up to five times more plastic bottles, which is the equivalent of around four tonnes.
Jon Nutt, South West regional manager for Recresco, said of the Gloucestershire operation: “The company had recognised the importance of getting the plastic bottle recycling banks in place quickly and has rushed in stock of banks from other depots.
“Recresco fully understands the importance of this operation and has put in place a daily collection service for all sites, if necessary the company will increase its collection service by bringing in additional vehicles.”
The company which was founded 30-years-ago, has processing plants in Southampton, Nottingham and Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
Residents can locate an emergency bottle bank in Gloucestershire by logging on to Recresco's website.
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