INCREASING RECYCLING, REDUCING COSTS

CONTINUING TO COLLECT WASTE FROM YOUR HOUSEHOLD EVERY WEEK

Consultation on new opportunities to recycle

The Island must recycle more of its household waste to reduce costs and help protect the environment.

Currently, we produce a lot of waste and far too much of what we throw away ends up going into landfill on the Island. Last year around 42,000 tonnes were buried in this way. Because the council is taxed on the amount going into landfill, around £1.8 million had to be paid out on landfill tax last year. As the rate of taxation is going up, the same amount of landfill would cost the Island £2.3 million next year. The council could also face significant penalty charges of £150 per tonne if targets on landfill are not met.

That is money the council would much rather be spending providing services for residents, and keeping council tax down. As well as being an expensive way of disposing of waste, landfill is also bad for the environment because as waste breaks down it produces gases that add to global warming. What is more, new materials have to be sourced and manufactured to replace those that we have unnecessarily thrown away.

In the interests of the environment, and for financial reasons, we have to reduce the amount of waste we bury as landfill. The most effective way of doing this is to produce less waste and to recycle more. The council is now proposing changes to the household waste collection that would help residents do their bit.

Under the proposals, weekly collections would remain for food waste. Households would be asked to put more of their waste into recycling containers and these would continue to be collected fortnightly.


The current waste collection and recycling service

The council already helps residents who volunteer to recycle by providing:

A weekly collection of food waste in a small lockable lidded bucket which takes all cooked and uncooked food. This is then taken to the gasification facility in Newport and used to generate power.

A fortnightly collection of recyclable paper, glass and textiles in a 55 litre box provided by the council. Paper, letters, envelopes, newspapers, junk mail, magazines, glass bottles and jars and textiles can be put in here and these materials are sent to the mainland for recycling.

A weekly collection of non-recyclable waste for which residents provide their own container which is usually black sacks and dustbins. This waste is taken to the Resource Recovery Facility in Newport where over half of it is processed into fuel for the gasification plant. The rest, which is not suitable for fuel, is landfilled.

The food waste and the recyclable waste services currently rely on the goodwill and determination of residents to do what is right for the environment. Around 35% of residents take part and consequently make a real contribution to the green agenda. Despite this, the Isle of Wight has one of the lowest recycling rates in the country, at just 36%. This is compared to some councils who achieve 65% or higher. However an improved recycling performance is achievable, with a more modern service and the council (and the contractor) providing the necessary containers and bins.


The proposed new waste collection and recycling service

The weekly collection of food waste would continue under the proposals. All residents would be issued with two containers – a small one which could be used within the kitchen and a larger one to be kept outdoors and put out for collection each week. All cooked and uncooked food can be put in these containers and this waste would continue to be taken to the gasification facility to generate power.

A fortnightly collection of recyclable paper, glass, plastic, tetra packs, cans and card. Many more types of waste would be accepted than is the case with the current black box scheme. A wheelie bin would be provided to make it very easy for residents to recycle as much of their waste as possible. This bin would be used for all types of paper, magazines, plastics, card, tetra paks, cans and glass bottles and jars. This waste would be taken to the mainland where it would be sorted at a specialist recycling facility and the materials then put to future use.

A fortnightly collection of non-recyclable waste for which residents would continue to provide their own form of containment such as black sacks and dustbins. Most residents would have very little of this waste once all their food and recyclable waste has been removed. This waste would be taken to the Resource Recovery Facility where suitable waste will be made into fuel for the gasification plant. Only the remaining waste would be sent to landfill.

An optional fortnightly collection of garden waste would be made available where residents would be provided with a wheelie bin. This service would be charged for and this garden waste would be made into compost at the Household Waste Recycling Centre (Civic Amenity Site) at Lynnbottom, Newport.


At a glance

What would it mean for me?

First and foremost you would be helping the environment by doing your bit to reduce waste going to landfill. You would also be helping to keep to a minimum the public money that has to be paid out in landfill tax – freeing up resources to spend on public services and to keep your council tax down.

To assist, each household would be provided with three containers: a 240 litre wheelie bin for recyclable waste and two containers for food waste. More than one of any container could be provided if considered to be required. Where wheelie bins are not suitable for properties, clear plastic sacks would be provided instead. If any residents feel they cannot move a wheelie bin they would be able to apply for an assisted collection service. The cost of these new containers would be met by the council and the contractor, not the household. The necessary investment would quickly be recouped from money saved by not having to pay as much landfill tax.

If residents sign up for the garden waste service they would be provided with another 240 litre wheelie bin.

Throughout the week, residents would be able to put all plastics, card, paper, cans, glass bottles and jars straight into the wheelie bin which could be kept outside within the grounds of their property. Waste should not be put in bags before being put into this bin as this would slow down the sorting process at the recycling facility.

All cooked and uncooked food would be put in the small food waste container in the kitchen and transferred as often as necessary to the larger container which is designed to be kept outside. If people would prefer, both of these containers could be kept outside.

All non-recyclable waste would be put into black sacks and dustbins as residents do now. Garden waste would be put straight into the garden waste wheelie bin where this service is requested.

Residents would be provided with a calendar informing them of which wastes would be collected each week. One week a household would put out their food waste and their wheelie bin (containing recyclable waste). The following week they would put out their food waste and their black bag (containing non-recyclable waste). Garden waste wheelie bins would be put out for collection fortnightly.

The council is seeking residents’ views on this proposed new service, ahead of a decision whether to implement such changes. These views are being collected via an online survey which can be completed by clicking here,

Or by completing a paper copy of the survey and posting to the address below. Paper copies can also be completed at libraries, help centres and County Hall and returned to

Waste collection consultation
County Hall
High Street
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 2UD

The closing date for the consultation is Sunday 8 May.