The plan will be partly financed by 2.4 million gained from the first round of DEFRA's National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund. Lancashire was one of the largest recipients from the first round of the 140m fund (see: 140m allocations), and like other successful councils awarded money in June 2002, must spend its allocation before April 1, 2003.
The green waste collection scheme aims to collect around 30,000 tonnes of material a year, which will then go for composting. All authorities in the county – as part of the Lancashire Waste Partnership (LWP) – will take part in the new project. However, some councils are already one step ahead, with Wyre, Preston, Chorley and South Ribble already collecting some 15,000 tonnes from 54,000 households.
Commenting on the new project, Councillor Brian Johnson, cabinet member for community and regeneration, said: “Segregated collections are one of the best ways to increase recycling rates and cut the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill. Our partners at the district and unitary councils are working closely with us to make sure the scheme is a success.”
The county has also put in place a home composting scheme, and has so far given out around 50,000 free compost bins to householders. The county has a further 4.5m from the second round of the DEFRA fund, which it intends to put towards paper, glass and plastic collections from April 2003.
Lancashire's 20-year strategy has set a target of providing kerbside collections of recyclable materials for 90% of its households by 2005. The LWP aims to cut waste growth to 1% a year by 2005 and reach recycling and composting rates of 40% by 2005 and 56% by 2015.
The county recycled 9.8% of its household waste in 2001-02, with 7.1% waste going to composting and 83.2% going to landfill.
Register for free to comment