Recycling revolution - second phase to start

 

THE second phase of changes to how rubbish is collected in North Somerset comes into force later this month.

The new arrangements, which will allow people to recycle more of their waste, begin for the remaining part of the district on September 13.

The changes have been introduced in two phases, with the new regime being introduced in some parts of the district in July.

The exact date that the new services will start in each area is listed in the information pack delivered with the new containers. 

Anyone who is not sure about their collection date can check online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/calendar. 

New containers have now been delivered to all households, with the exception of those which are being given a larger or smaller bin due to their individual circumstances and these will be delivered over the next few days. 

Collection arrangements for people living in blocks of flats of four or more households will not change. 

The council will be contacting these householders individually to advise them of changes later this year.

North Somerset Council executive member for waste and recycling, Councillor Carl Francis-Pester, said: "The new recycling services not only allow people to recycle more, reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill, but will save everyone money in the long term.

"The council needs a permit for every tonne of waste that it sends to landfill, and the amount of permits given by the government to each authority decreases year on year. 

"If waste were sent to landfill without a permit the council would be heavily fined."

The new service will mean residents can now recycle a wider range of materials at the kerbside, including food and drink cartons, aerosols, mobile phones, spectacles, household batteries and a variety of plastics.

The council can't accept expanded polystyrene - the material often used to pack electrical items or black plastic, due to the way that plastic is sorted.

As well as the additional materials being collected, residents can still recycle paper and magazines, all types of cardboard, glass, foil, tins and cans, textiles and shoes in pairs.

Residents are asked to sort their recycling where possible and place their waste and recycling on the edge of their property by 7am on their day of collection.

The collection routes have changed slightly and there are many new crews, meaning that collections may now take place at different times.

More information, including frequently asked questions, can be found online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/revolution.