New collection system boosts recycling in Dorset

Recycling rates are on the rise in Dorset following the introduction of a new collection service being rolled out across the county, according to the regions waste authority.

First launched in October last year, Dorset Waste Partnerships recycle for Dorset service has reportedly seen dry recycling and composting rates almost double in Christchurch from 33% in the third and fourth quarters in 2011/12 to 61% in 2012/13 according to the councils, and rise significantly in parts of East Dorset where it was initially introduced.

Prior to the scheme, 12 different systems were in place across the Partnership, with varying weekly and fortnightly collections depending on area, while a back door collection service was in operation in Christchurch.

The uniform service, which has so far been rolled out to 94,000 households including North Dorset and the remainder of East Dorset in June, sees commingled dry recycling with separate glass collections carried out fortnightly, while food waste is collected once a week.

The scheme will be introduced to some 40,000 households in the whole of Purbeck and parts of West Dorset, including Dorchester, in March 2014, with an estimated 50,000 in Weymouth and Portland and Sherborne to follow in October. The remaining parts of West Dorset will be the last to adopt the scheme, with a date yet to be finalised.

‘Promising’

Commenting on the increase, director of Dorset Waste Partnership Steve Burdis told letsrecycle.com he was confident the countys goal of achieving a 65% recycling rate by 2016 now looked promising.

He said: The size of Dorset coupled with the number of different collection services meant there were some efficiencies to be made. What we wanted was to win the hearts and minds of our residents by moving to a more uniformed service.

Like any big change we have had some teething problems, such as missing bins and our crews getting used to the system, but these are the usual problems associated with a roll out to 53,000 households. Youre not going to get it 100% right on day one.

Now these have been sorted we really have had a lot of praise, particularly in Christchurch. We think its a system that will suit everybody.

Mr Burdis added: This is an exciting time. We have one of the best closed-loop anaerobic digestion (AD) plants in the country, and our strategic partnership with Bournemouth council has allowed us to gain funding for a materials recycling facility (MRF) to be tendered in the autumn and help support local businesses.

Treatment

Dorset Waste Partnership currently holds a contract with Veolia, which treats 10,000 tonnes of residual waste at its energy-from-waste facility in March Wood, Southampton. A further 20,000 tonnes of black bag waste is sent to New Earth Solutions mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) plant in Canford, Poole.

Meanwhile, a separate opt-in green waste service was also introduced with the scheme, by which residents can receive fortnightly collections in exchange for a fee.

Launched in April 2011, the Dorset Waste Partnership brings together waste, recycling and street cleaning services from seven councils of Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset and Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland. It does not include Bournemouth and Poole.