Fines for disorganised rubbish
March 13, 2006 at 3:54 pm
A number of councils have introduced fines for those households who throw items that could be recycled into their ordinary rubbish or who contaminate their recycling boxes or bags with ordinary household waste.
Councils are under pressure to reduce landfill waste and increase recycling so they are beginning to put pressure on households to recycle more and recycle properly.
The scheme seems to be working as since Barnet were the first council to introduce compulsory recycling backed by fines, recycling levels have increased from 17% to 29% in just two years. Many other councils have contacted them with interest, so you may see this scheme introduced near you.
Councils Reduce Rubbish Collections to Encourage Recycling
March 7, 2006 at 10:29 am
Many councils in Wales, either already have, or are planning to cut rubbish collections to once every 2 weeks rather than a weekly collection. This is to encourage recycling, with only one wheelie bin being emptied every fortnight but 2 recycling boxes emptied every week.
The local authorities have certain recycling targets to meet or they will be faced with fines. By 2007, 25% of all rubbish should be recycled and by 2010, 40 % of rubbish.
Many people are worried about collections being reduced to once a fortnight as they think that rubbish will become piled up and could create hygeine risks but the argument from Environmental group Friends of the Earth is that if households recycle more, their rubbish bags will be emptier and the bins will not get as full as quickly.
Where I live, recycling is made easy by the council, with one bin bag for all recyclable materials. This definiately reduces our rubbish with the bin never full on collection day. For tips on how to reduce your rubbish and recycle more check our handy tips section or print out our recycling guide to stick on the wall at home.
Cash for your Empties?
March 7, 2006 at 10:05 am
People in the UK may be unfamiliar with this concept and the idea of a ‘bottlebill’.
A bottlebill is a law which requires retailers to take a deposit for beer or soft drink bottles which is then refunded when the empties are returned to encourage a high rate of recycling.
The idea started back in the 50’s and was aimed at reducing costs for companies by producing less bottles and also to reduce the amount of rubbish in the waste stream.
Many US states and various European countries use this system but it doesn’t ever seem to have been implemented as a recycling method in the UK. Would it work if introduced? Would you take back your empties for cash?
For more infomation on bottlebills, take a look at www.bottlebill.org.
Great Success for Computer Recycling
February 24, 2006 at 12:50 pm
A massive 10,000 computers were recycled during 2005 by Gloucestershire based waste recycling company, Engelhard.
The company collect old IT equipment from companies, including computer towers, monitors, fax machines, calculators and telephones which are then taken apart and recycled as seperate materials such as steel, copper and precious metals.
Engelhard work with local courier services to collect equipment all across the UK, but the majority is collected locally and there is also a recycling bank at their head office for the public to drop off unwanted items.
They are aiming even higher this year with a target of recycling 50,000 computers.
There are many companies that deal with recycling computers and lots of options for recycling your home computer too. Search for you local site here selecting ‘office equipment’ and then ‘computers’.
Be Careful What You Throw Away
February 24, 2006 at 1:00 am
A man from North Finchley accidently threw out some important documents with his recycling which included his car registration documents, MOT certificate and insurance documents.
They were collected before he realised but got to ECT Recycling just in time the same day and the documents were retrieved and returned to the very grateful owner the next day.
New Battery Recycling Service
February 23, 2006 at 2:50 am
Ordinary household batteries don’t contain harmful materials so can be thrown away with daily rubbish but rechargable batteries and single use batteries often contain harmful metals, so cannot be thrown away with daily rubbish.
Some companies will have to dispose of batteries on a regular basis and services like the one just recently set up by Manchester based, Mercury Recycling will be of great use. The new service will help companies dispose batteries properly according to todays hazardous waste regulations – which were changed last year.
Different types of battery need to be identified and sorted correctly and recycled using the right process. Mercury’s ‘Battery Safe’ service will make sure this.
For more information on recycling batteries, or different materials check our materials page.
Local Council Recycling Event
February 23, 2006 at 1:10 am
The major of Enfield hosted a recycling event held by the Waste Recycling Team from Enfield Council and local community groups to help educate local people about recycling. The afternoon included workshops and discussions and the opportunity for the community to share their ideas on recycling.
With an introduction from the Major and a talk from a representative of the Waste Recycling Team of Enfield, the day helped to provide people with a better understanding of recycling; outlined ways that local people can make a difference and encouraged those who are not currently already recycling, to get invloved.
There was an ECO Van, complete with furniture made from recycled materials, where environmental activities were taking place. Another highlight was ArtStart where children were encouraged to create works of art from from recycled items.
Why not get in contact with the recycling Team at your local council to see if they are hosting any similar events.
Recycling’s not just old cans, tins and paper!
February 20, 2006 at 4:39 pm
As well as the traditional items that most people are by now used to throwing in the recycling sack, box or bank, there are many other household items that can be recycled.
You may have items that are no longer any use to you in your home but this by no means classes them as ‘rubbish’.
Rather than throwing out old electrical appliances or furniture or getting the council to collect them, send them to a good home by contacting the Furniture re-use Network (FRN).
The FRN have over 5000 people working to collect unwanted items free of charge, which they then repair where necessary and pass onto low income families who are unable to afford to buy these items new.
1.5 million items are reused and passed on every year so think twice about dumping that sofa or taking that old telly to the tip. Contact the Furniture re-use Network.
Recycling Xmas cards to power your home
December 15, 2005 at 9:13 am
Every year millions of Christmas cards are happily received but then quickly discarded without a thought.
Don’t throw your cards away with the rest of the rubbish, do your bit for the environment and recycle them.
By recycling just one Christmas card, enough energy would be saved for five people to watch TV for 15 minutes!
