The Cell is a partnership between seven local authorities and private companies aimed at improving recycling facilities for residents. The local authorities involved in the cell are Peterborough city council, Fenland district council, Huntingdonshire district council, South Holland district council and the borough council of Wellingborough.
Funding for the Peterborough consortium comes from Shanks First, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and also from Valpak.
The new scheme will serve 10,000 residents in each of five areas and is expected to collect up to 100 tonnes of mixed glass a month. Packaging waste compliance scheme Valpak will broker the collected mixed glass to be used by RMC as aggregates for road building.
The collection vehicles from Trio were paid for from a 1 million grant from DEFRA's Waste Minimisation Fund. The money was provided to be spent on initiating a kerbside glass collection for households in Northamptonshire, Northampton, Peterborough, South Holland and South Kesteven.
Jacqui Warren, acting Cell co-ordinator, commented: “This is a truly unique scheme, illustrating the benefits of collaborative working between local authorities and private companies. It really is going to be very interesting monitoring this scheme, and using this up to date technology for research purposes, as the scheme is one of only a hand-full of schemes that exist currently in the UK.”
She added: “Hopefully the scheme will pave the way forward for both high performing and low performing authorities looking for new innovative ways to reach their recycling targets.”
Valpak Director of Operations Steve Gough said: “This project is a great example of how Valpak working with local authorities can really help to boost recycling levels. Valpak has been working with the Peterborough Cell for some time, and attaining funding for this project was welcome recognition of all our hard work.”
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