Cheshire East Council’s waste collections operations have passed a major test – and saved taxpayers £650,000.
Because of amendments to The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, councils have to collect recyclable waste paper, metal, plastic and glass separately, unless they can show that it is not technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP).
Currently, the Council collects the items co-mingled in the silver bin and they are separated later at a materials recovery facility.
A thorough, independent examination of the Council’s waste collection operations found that changing the system could cost £650,000 more and would be likely to result in a reduction in the amount of recycled material collected.
The report, which will go before the Council’s Cabinet on March 3, demonstrates that there is no necessity to collect the four materials separately and that it is not technically, environmentally and economically practicable to do so.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The report strongly endorses Cheshire East Council’s current, easy-to-use, recycling scheme and the high quality of the recycled materials.
“In 2013/14, nine out of the top 10 authorities for recycling collected their waste using a co-mingled system like ours.
“I am pleased that we have been able to show that our current system works very well and that we have been able to avoid a considerable, unnecessary additional cost to the Council Tax payer.”
The Cabinet is being asked to endorse the report, which robustly demonstrates the Council’s compliance with the regulations and should minimise the risk of legal challenge by organisations which are campaigning for waste to be sorted at the kerbside rather than collected in co-mingled bins.
To find out more about recycling: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling.aspx
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