The southern Devon authority had previously reported hitting a kerbside recycling “brick wall” (see letsrecycle.com story). The pilot scheme aimed to counteract the inefficiency, expense and limitations of the existing kerbside collection.
The trial of the new system started last October in Totnes and nearby villages. It required the residents to pre-sort their recycling into colour coded sacks.
The council claims the new scheme increased recycling by 20% in participating households. This is the equivalent of 37kg of rubbish a year per household and brings the average annual total per household up to 216.9kg.
South Hams has set recycling rate targets of 28% by 2003-04 and 36% by 2005-06. Verity Palk, the council’s waste management officer, said: “The new recycling scheme will bring us online for our 2003 target and by increasing participation rate it will help us reach our 2005-06 target.”
The collected materials are sold through the Cornwall Paper Company. Plastics go to Reprise in Merseyside, cans go to Corus Steel in Wales, Aylesford Newsprint takes the paper and the cardboard goes to a local company.
The council reports that 62% of households in the area use its kerbside collection service, but plans to expand this to 100% are to be delayed until a new bulking facility at Torr Quarry is completed.
“What we are looking to have is a bailing plant, where the material undergoes minor sorting and bailing before being moved on,” Ms Palk explained. She added that the council is looking to be involved in the plant, but is looking for possible partnerships.
- The Devon Authorities Recycling Partnership claims its “Don't Let Devon Go to Waste” has increased public participation in recycling from 79% to 82% in its first five months of operation. Bobby Hughes, the partnership's chairman said: “It's early days, but these initial results are exciting. We shall have the whole picture, including tonnages, by early summer.”
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