Council consults on phasing out recycling bags

Photo of Cllr Paul Hughes with green recycling boxes.

South Gloucestershire Council has launched a public consultation on a proposal to stop providing white and green bags for kerbside recycling collections and instead ask residents to use green boxes for all of their recycling materials.

No changes are being proposed on how materials need to be separated and presented for collection, i.e. plastics and cans mixed together and all other items grouped separately in the boxes.

Cabinet member for communities and tourism Cllr Paul Hughes said:

“This change has been proposed for a number of reasons, the main ones being that the current bags are not biodegradable and plastic fragments are released into the environment as the bags deteriorate. They also need to be replaced regularly and are currently sourced from overseas. Removing the bags from the service could save us around £100,000 a year and the boxes also last far longer.”

“We will continue to support those residents who cannot physically manage the boxes, through our assisted collection service, where the crews collect and return the containers to an agreed point.”

A council spokesperson explained further:

“In 2017 we simplified and improved our recycling collections with the introduction of weekly recycling for all household recycling material – plastic, cans, paper, cardboard, textiles, small electrical, glass and food. At the time, residents could continue to use white bags for plastic, green bags for cardboard and boxes for other material, or choose to just use boxes. Extra recycling boxes are provided free of charge.”

“We are now consulting on stopping the future supply of recycling bags. Any bags already in use can continue to be used, but would be replaced by boxes when the bags deteriorate.”

The consultation is open until 25th January 2019, and it is expected that a decision will be made by March 2019.

To take part:

  • Visit the council’s consultation webpage, read the consultation document and complete the online survey
  • Pick up a paper copy of the survey from libraries or One Stop Shops and, once completed, post it to the council
  • Telephone the council on 01454 868154

Photo: Cllr Paul Hughes with green recycling boxes.

This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 36). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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