New bins increase recycling rate

Householders have helped increase North Lanarkshire’s kerbside recycling levels by five per cent and reduced residual waste by 12 per cent since the introduction of new bin collection cycles.

Uplifts of glass, metal and plastic and of paper and cardboard are slightly below the anticipated volumes but are both of high quality, with 99.6 per cent of the former in top-grade band one compared to an expected 15 per cent and 97 per cent of the paper and card in the top two bands compared to an expected 85 per cent.

Food and garden waste, now uplifted together on a fortnightly basis, have exceeded expectations by more than 2000 tonnes, with 99.6 per cent being in the top band.

The figures are contained in a review for the infrastructure committee after almost eight months of the new recycling mix and three- weekly collection programme and as it was announced that bins tagged for contamination with the wrong materials will no longer be emptied.

Infrastructure convener Michael McPake said: “For some recyclable materials the council receives a payment from the processors depending on the quality of the load.

“However, if the quality is poor we may have to pay for the load to be disposed of. This could mean the difference between us receiving £64 per tonne or paying £125.

“We have to continue to improve to meet national targets and the increasingly high standards set by the processors for the materials they receive from us.

“Obviously we don’t want to pay any more than we have to for processing and any income we do receive goes towards the operation of our waste and other local services.”

From June 18 bins tagged as contaminated will now not be emptied until the next cycle. Residents will be invited to call the council for advice and either remove the incorrect materials or take the contents to a recycling centre.

Councillor McPake added: “We are targeting those households who repeatedly place the wrong items in recycling bins. There is comprehensive information on our website and social media to help residents understand which items can be placed in each.

“The service has been operating successfully for eight months and I would like to thank residents for their continued support.”

Infrastructure committee members were told that 51,000 new bins have been delivered to date.

A report said: “The volume of demand was beyond all expectations.”

The cost of introducing the new scheme was £ 1.2 million, including £208,400 for biodegradable food bags.

Councillors were told: “Concerns have been expressed by residents as to the quality of the bags and the number distributed has significantly exceeded expectations.

“These factors are most likely linked as residents are placing less food in bags and using more of them.

“The waste service is now in discussion with a view to introducing a more robust bag and to determine a better approach on how bags can be delivered.”

The report said: “If the reduction in residual waste remains consistent over a 12- month period the annual level collected would be below the ceiling level of 71,000 tonnes which North Lanarkshire can treat as part of the Clyde Valley residual waste contract commencing in December 2019”.

It added: “Based on the evidence from the first six months, the target of generating a £670,000 saving from increased volumes and quality of recycling will be met.”

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