The fund – an initiative of the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Home Office aiming to empower local communities – provided 240,000 to provide recycling services for 40 high-rise buildings in Gateshead.
” It is a challenge to every local authority to collect recyclable material from high rise buildings. “
– Cllr Michael McNestry, Gateshead council
The new scheme follows a trial 140 properties in the city centre, and will see buildings given communal recycling points.
Cllr Michael McNestry, cabinet member for the environment at Gateshead council, said: “It is a challenge to every local authority to collect recyclable material from high rise buildings but the pilot scheme we have been running has exceeded our expectations thanks to the commitment of the people that live in those properties involved.”
Paper collected through the scheme is taken to UPM Shotton's plant in North Wales, it is collected by Durham-based Premier Waste Management.
Benefit
Gateshead is using the high rise funding to expand its recycling services elsewhere and is now identifying other sites that could benefit from new communal recycling facilities, including shopping and town centre areas.
About 20% of the 100,572 tonnes of household waste produced by households in Gateshead during 2005/06 was recycled. The council has set itself the target of recycling 25% of its waste by 2010.
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Cllr McNestry said: “The kerbside recycling service we already offer to 85,000 properties has had an enormous impact on reducing the amount of rubbish that has to go to landfill sites.
“However we must continue to reduce that amount so that we can protect our environment for years to come,” he said.
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