Press release - 9 December 2014 14:07

Recycling rate surges to 55%

Bury Council is thanking residents for their recycling efforts as the borough’s household waste recycling rate surges to 55%.

Prior to the start of the new collection service at the beginning of October, Bury’s recycling rate was just above 47%.

Figures for October have shown that waste collected from grey bins has reduced by around 600 tonnes compared with the same month last year. Also, nearly 400 tonnes of extra recycling has been collected from the green (paper and cardboard), blue (glass, cans, tins, plastic bottles) and brown (food and garden waste) recycling bins. For waste in green and blue bins an income of £25 per tonne is received and for waste in brown bins it only costs £61 per tonne to turn it into valuable compost. But to dispose of waste in grey bins it costs a massive £283 per tonne.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “An 8% increase so soon is a fantastic achievement and I want to thank residents across Bury for their understanding and their efforts in helping us reach this recycling rate.

“If this trend continues our residents are well on their way to increasing income from recycling and helping save more than £800,000 a year on treatment and disposal costs.

“As it costs the taxpayer £283 per tonne to collect, treat and dispose of ‘grey bin’ waste, it’s easy to see how important it is for us all to do all we can to put the right stuff in the right bin.”

Since July when changes to the collection service were first announced the council has received requests for nearly 1,700 blue bins, more than 3,500 brown bins, nearly 1,400 green bins and more than 2,500 grey bins. Nearly 1,500 requests to upsize from a 140 to a 240-litre grey bin were also received and these 140-litre bins are now being re-used at larger households where extra grey bin space has been approved.

Under the new collection service grey, blue and green bins are collected every three weeks, and the brown bins every two weeks.

Cllr Isherwood added: “I know that these changes did cause some concern, but they were necessary if we are to recycle more and save money that can help protect other public services.

“The real challenge now is to keep the momentum going and continue to get our recycling rates up. Studies show that it’s possible to recycle around 75% and we know that other areas in Greater Manchester already recycle more than 60%; so, with your continuing support, we can reach these targets.”

To help residents remember their new collection days and frequencies, the council has introduced an e-mail reminder service to alert people about which bins they should put out and when - to sign up, go to www.bury.gov.uk/bincollections.