Mixed plastics recycling trial proves to be a success

Residents can recycle a range of plastics at 12 of the council’s most popular ‘bring bank’ sites around the town. Due to the demand every bank is being emptied at least once a week and the Morrisons’ site is being emptied twice a week.

Scott Williams, strategic client officer, said: “We would like to thank the residents who are recycling more of their plastics at the sites and to ask them to continue their efforts, as well as also reminding those who aren’t currently using the facilities, that they can recycle their ‘mixed plastics’ at 12 recycling sites across the borough and that every tonne of waste which isn’t landfilled saves the taxpayer £80/tonne.

“Feedback from our contacts at the plastics reprocessing centres is also very positive and they are happy with the quality of plastics received, which means that people are recycling the correct items.”

The trial started on 2 June and will run for a minimum of three-months. The plastic being trialled is ‘mixed plastics’. This refers to items such as; yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs, ready-meal trays and plastic fruit punnets.

However, this does not include any black-coloured plastic, plastic bags or cling film (or any other kind of film).
Plastic bottles have always been part of the core group of materials that are recycled by the council but other ‘mixed plastic’ previously went to landfill.

Residents who are keen to recycle this type of plastic – and help the result of the trial – can take them to any of the following recycling sites:

- Caernarvon Road, Morrisons
- Priors Road, Sainsbury's
- Manor Road, Sainsbury's
- Bath Terrace car park
- Hatherley Lane, Asda
- Church Piece car park
- Edinburgh Place car park
- St James Street car park
- Sixways car park
- Everest Road, Old Patesians
- Swindon Road recycling centre
- Whaddon Road, CTFC

Cllr Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment, continues: “The initial trial period for mixed plastics is for at least three months but if affordable, we hope to be able to offer this permanently as we recognise there is a clear public demand for this service

“Cheltenham has always striven to be in the forefront of moves to divert recyclable waste away from landfill. As well as expanding the range of plastics recycled from ‘bring bank sites’, we are also researching the possibility of collecting these kinds of mixed plastics from the kerbside. At present, council budgets are limited, so this initiative is something which we hope to be able to implement in the future when it is more financially viable. However, residents will continue to be able to recycle plastic bottles at the kerbside.

”In addition we’re also pleased with the success of the re-launch of bulky plastic recycling at the Swindon Road recycling centre and we can confirm that Ubico (the Council’s Environmental Service provider) is reporting up to 10 tonnes per week are being deposited."

Bulky plastic recycling, also known as mixed hard plastics, returned to the Swindon Road Recycling Centre on 16 June. This means people wishing to recycle items such as plastic toys, plastic garden furniture and plastic buckets can do so at the container located on site at the recycling centre.

For more information on plastic recycling visit the council’s website.

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For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154 or email [email protected]