Four thousand households across four areas of Northumberland will each receive an additional small wheeled bin for their glass bottles and jars, which will be emptied every four weeks.
The trial will run for an initial period of 12 months with a review after nine months to inform officers and members of its costs and benefits. A decision will then be made about its future.
Councillor Glen Sanderson, leader of council and the cabinet member responsible for waste management and recycling, said: “We are always looking at ways that we can improve our waste collection and management and recycling services, and I am extremely pleased to be bringing this trial glass recycling scheme forward.
“Many people have expressed a desire to recycle glass from their home, and our team has worked hard to design a scheme which we hope will benefit residents, while also helping to combat climate change and improve our recycling rates.
“We hope that householders in the trial scheme areas will embrace this new service and help us by using it as fully as they can and providing feedback so that we can help to shape future provision.”
Scheme
The homes selected to take part in the trial are in parts of Bedlington, Alnwick/Lesbury, Hexham and Morpeth.
During the twelve-month trial residents taking part will be asked for their feedback on the scheme, so that any adjustments or changes can be made before a wider scheme could be introduced in Northumberland.
The council says it is also considering whether to introduce a separate food waste collection service in its attempts to achieve an overall recycling rate in excess of 50%.
Northumberland
Home to 316,000 people, Northumberland had a recycling rate of 35.9% in the 2018/19 financial year.
Northumberland’s waste collection services are currently provided by Suez. The waste management company was awarded a 28-year contract in 2007, estimated to be worth £486,431,456.
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