Pilots for two new recycling initiatives aimed at promoting recycling and reducing household waste in Cornwall began yesterday (30 November).
A new pots, tubs and trays collection and a resident-led incentive scheme have both been launched by Cornwall Council in an effort to increase awareness of the recycling schemes within the county and raise the number of households using the weekly recycling collection service.
At present, just 65 per cent of properties in the county use weekly recycling collection services, according to the council.
Pots, tubs and trays
One trial in the former Kerrier and Carrick Districts, including Camborne, Falmouth, Helston, Redruth and Truro, will see the implementation of a collection of pots, tubs and trays and will involve approximately 46,000 properties.
All properties involved, which are situated on a single collection route initiating from the Newham Depot in Truro, have been informed of their inclusion via two posted leaflets.
As the trial only involves certain properties, all householders not previously informed by leaflet have been asked not to include pots, tubs and trays in their recycling.
Councillor Joyce Duffin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, stated: “Plastic pots, tubs and trays make up a large proportion of our household rubbish and we currently can’t recycle them. We want to see how much we can recycle if we could. We currently only collect plastic bottles in the collection service, along with the other materials such as paper, cardboard, cans/tins, glass and textiles.
“We want to find out if recycling the extra items will reduce rubbish and increase recycling rates, which is why we are only trialling it, and not doing it everywhere so we can compare the results.”
Waste incentive neighbourhood scheme
In other parts of Cornwall, the ‘waste incentive neighbourhood scheme’ has been launched, asking town and parish councils to submit ideas on how to reduce, and encourage residents to reduce black bag waste within their local areas.
The scheme has been awarded government funding to reduce the amount of residual waste collected in the county. One council will be chosen and given start-up funding to launch the campaign and a potential reward following completion, dependent on the amount of waste reduction.
The trials will be evaluated upon completion based on their success in reducing waste.
More information about recycling and waste in Cornwall is available at the council’s website.
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