The expanded service, which began on 5 October as part of Tendring District Council’s (TDC) new waste and recycling contract with Veolia, allows residents to recycle glass bottles and jars from home. This is in addition to a wider range of materials already accepted in their green boxes.
Initial data suggests an overall increase in glass recycling, not just a shift from public recycling banks to kerbside collections. The figures include collections from bottle banks, indicating a genuine rise in recycled materials.
“"These are really encouraging early figures and show just how enthusiastically residents have embraced being able to recycle glass from their doorstep. Almost 200 tonnes of glass collected from green boxes in just one month is a fantastic start."
Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of TDC, expressed his encouragement, stating: “What is particularly encouraging is that these initial figures suggest we are not simply seeing glass move from recycling banks to kerbside collections, but an increase in the amount being recycled overall. Making recycling easier and more convenient was at the heart of these changes, and I want to thank everyone who is already putting the expanded service to good use. And if you haven’t started yet, why not join your neighbours and give it a go? Every bottle, jar, carton or yoghurt pot put in the right box helps us recycle more as a district.”
The early figures also indicate increased recycling of other materials, including Tetra Pak-type cartons, plastic bottles, and steel cans. Residents can recycle glass bottles and jars, cartons, and plastic pots, such as yoghurt pots, from home. Glass should be placed in the green box, and residents are reminded to be mindful of its weight, as boxes are lifted by hand by collection crews. Broken glass should not be placed out for recycling.
More information on what can be recycled and collection calendars can be found at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/recycling-changes.
