Kentish Express Ashford & District
Council to target contaminated bins
New stickers launched in recycling campaign
Residents will receive stickers on their recycling bins if they contain high levels of contamination.
From Monday (September 2), crews will be placing stickers on contaminated bins during recycling collection weeks, stating the load will not be emptied until the incorrect item - or items - are removed.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has launched the contamination campaign to tackle an increase of incorrect recycling in the borough after four loads of recyclable waste were rejected at the material recovery facility in May and June.
The rejected loads - which contained food waste, nappies, sanitary waste and other miscellaneous items - were instead transferred from the waste plant to be incinerated in Allington near Maidstone to create energy instead.
ABC’s campaign has been shared on social media over the past weeks, and staff have been speaking with residents before the stickering commences next week.
Cllr Andrew Buchanan, portfolio holder for environment and land management, said: “We want to assure the residents of Ashford that this isn’t a form of punishment.
“Rather it’s a way to ensure we are not forced to lose any additional good quality recycling from the majority of residents who are trying hard and doing the right thing.
“We’re currently at a 56% recycling rate so most people are doing it correctly. We want to support those residents and their brilliant efforts. Improving recycling rates is a big step in helping the borough to become even more environmentally friendly.”