The much discussed and controversial blue bins
The death of the Blue Bins is near and the hope is the new updated recycling scheme will see a reduction in the litter left behind on bin day.
Tamworth Borough Council approved the changes to the recycling scheme during a meeting on 14 May, with the new scheme being rolled out throughout the remainder of the year.
After a consultation period with residents of Tamworth in 2008, the new scheme will make recycling easier, allow us to recycle more items (including food waste) and reduce the litter caused by the blue bins.
Tamworth has a successful recycling scheme which was introduced some years ago, with some 40% of household waste in the town being recycled. The new scheme is hoped to improve this figure and make Tamworth one of the best recyclers in the country.
The new scheme is being introduced in phases;
Phase 1
From 29th June 2009, residents will be able to recycle a wider range of materials including all plastics, large pieces of card and tetrapak drink cartons. In addition residents will no longer have to sort the recycling into the two different boxes as the material will be taken as a single mix to a processing plant for mechanical sorting.
Phase 2
During September 2009, 12,000 local homes will be given a recycling wheelie bin in place of their recycling boxes – these recycling bins will be collected every two weeks and are designed to put an end to the litter problems caused by recycling boxes being blown over in the wind.
Phase 3
Also at the end of September, households which currently have a garden waste bin will be able to start recycling food. Each participating household will receive a small kitchen caddy which will make it easier to store waste food before being placed in the garden waste bin. The mixed food and garden waste will continue to be collected every two weeks.
Phase 4
From April 2010, the remaining households will have their recycling boxes replaced with a wheelie bin.
Residents are urged not to begin recycling all items until the scheme comes into effect on June 29.
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