Town council is recycling just 10 per cent of waste

15/10/2020 @ 07:36

Newtown Town Council wants to increase the amount of waste it recycles after it emerged only 10 per cent is currently recycled.

Councillors want to cut the amount of waste that goes to landfill and increase its recycling.

Its plans could see 50 per cent of waste recycled.

A meeting of the council's Resources Committee on Monday will discuss plans to change waste contractors in order to achieve this.

"An estimate based on observation would be that only approximately 10 per cent of our waste gets recycled. This does not include green waste that the council if far better at recycling / reusing by either leaving in place, composting or allowing others to make wildlife haven’s with," a report says.

"An extensive survey of our current waste has not been carried out as to do this correctly would require a large sample of waste taken over an appropriate period. This waste would then need to be separated out and individually assessed that would in the current climate require time and increased risk of contamination from COVID-19."

The council currently has a single 1,100 litre skip collected weekly. It wants to change this.

"Our current contract has a 1100ltr (landfill) skip collected weekly, it is proposed that we change our waste contractor who can provide us with two 1100ltr skips collected weekly with one skip of general waste and the other mixed recycling.

"The mixed recycling will be for plastic, metal, cardboard and paper, reducing the need for multiple separating at the point of disposal (i.e. easier for the public to use).

The general waste will also be recycled where possible at the contractor’s base and the majority of what cannot be recycled will be incinerated to produce electricity and heat with only 7 per cent going into land fill.

"In conclusion we can have double the capacity, with at least 50 per cent if not more recycling and only 7 per cent to land fill for an only an additional cost per year of £88.60."