Changes to Isle residents’ use of recycling bins

More recycling of products is now possible throughout the Isle and North Lincolnshire.
North Lincolnshire Council LogoNorth Lincolnshire Council Logo
North Lincolnshire Council Logo

A change in council policy now allows people to put recycled plastic food containers and bottle tops and lids in to burgundy bins.

And for the first time, it will be possible to recycle food cartons such as soup, juice, and milk at home. The improvements take effect from September 29, 2014.

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But the council will clamp down heavily on anyone who puts the wrong rubbish in the wrong bin, it warns.

Residents will receive a leaflet and new bin sticker giving collection dates and details of what they can and can’t put in the burgundy bins. There will also be details on the council’s website.

In March, residents were told they could no longer put plastic food containers or bottle tops and lids of a certain polymer type (one, two and five) in their burgundy bins due to the risk of contamination and increased fines the council faced.

But by changing the company that processes the waste, the polymer type is no longer an issue and people will be able to recycle more plastics.

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The recycling will not include flimsy plastics, carrier bags, cling film, or thin plastic or any type. To avoid contamination, all plastic bottles and containers must be empty and washed, no half-eaten pizzas, leftover curries or half-full sauce bottles, and no general waste. Plastic bottles should be washed, squashed and have their lids screwed back on to keep them flat to ensure they can be recycled.

Coun Liz Redfern, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have listened to residents and taken on board their comments. As a result, we have been working behind the scenes to improve the service. We have a current recycling rate of 44 per cent. We would like to see this increase further and hope that making it easier to recycle will help. The success is dependent on reducing contamination so it is important to place only clean plastics in your bin. People are doing a fantastic job in recycling their waste and I’d like to thank them for their efforts.”

John Coates, head of the council’s waste services, said: “It is vitally important that people don’t put their rubbish in the wrong bin. It is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds in landfill costs simply because some people can’t be bothered to separate their rubbish. It costs us around £40 more for every tonne of waste that goes to landfill – this is waste that could have been recycled. Unfortunately, it is the minority of people who are spoiling it for others.

“From now on, if people put their rubbish in the wrong bins, we will attach a tag politely asking them not to do it again. If they continue, they will receive a visit from a recycling officer who will guide them through they can put in their bins. And if this doesn’t work, as a last resort, we won’t empty the bin.

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“It’s as simple as that. Particularly if food waste or general rubbish is put in the wrong bin. This can contaminate the whole contents and therefore can’t be recycled, and costs the council money to send it to landfill.”