WARRINGTON people are still not recycling enough waste, with almost a fifth of the material being thrown away in black bins being recyclable items such as food cans, glass jars and cardboard.
A survey commissioned by the borough council’s waste and recycling team indicates that about 50 per cent of food cans and 43 per cent of cardboard is going into the black bin, which is intended waste that cannot be recycled.
Only a third of aerosol spray cans and less than half of drinks cartons are being recycled.
Large amounts of high value items like old clothes, shoes and electrical items are being thrown away instead of being taken to community recycling centres or local recycling points.
The survey looked at the black bin and blue bin waste from about 200 households in Warrington, to see if there is a way to reduce waste disposal costs. Last year the council paid more than £4 million to dispose of more than 43,000 tonnes of general waste placed in black bins.
In response to the findings, the council is launching a yearlong campaign to reduce the amount of recyclable waste disposed of in the black bin and get residents to put them in their blue recycling bin.
Cllr Judith Guthrie (pictured), the council’s lead member for environment and public protection, said: “If people recycled fully instead of putting some items in the black bin, it would save the council nearly £765,000 a year, which could be spent on other things which benefit the community.
“We want to encourage residents to recycle as much as possible and let them know they can now order second blue recycling bins if they find that their first blue bin gets full before their next collection.”
For more information on waste and recycling in Warrington visit: www.recycleforwarrington.co.uk
How to help the council save £765,000 a year
00 Comments
