Big rise in amount of plastic collected for recycling

The amount of plastic collected from the kerbside in the Shropshire Council area has risen by almost 25%, since the kerbside collection of plastic pots, tubs and trays alongside plastic bottles was introduced in October 2012.

Now Shropshire Council and their contractor Veolia are encouraging residents to help increase this figure still further by recycling even more plastic – and are offering people an additional recycling box to help them do so.

The kerbside collection of plastic bottles was rolled out across the Shropshire Council area between 2009 and 2011.

However, since October 2012 people have been able to put margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, fruit punnets, and food trays in their recycling box, along with their plastic bottles – leading to the big increase in the amount of plastic collected for recycling.

Prior to October 2012 an average of 192 tonnes of plastic was collected from Shropshire households each month.

But since October 2012 that average has risen to more than 238 tonnes of plastic each month – an increase of almost a quarter.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:

“Following the successful introduction of kerbside collections for plastic pots, tubs and trays at the end of 2012, we have seen an increase of nearly 25% in the amount of plastic being out out for recycling. This works out at hundreds of tonnes more plastic being kept out of landfill and transformed back into useful items instead.”

Mark Hunter, Head of Collections with Veolia, added:

“We want to say thank you to all the residents who are recycling their plastic pots, tubs and trays and remind all residents to recycle more plastic. It’s easy to recycle your plastic – simply wash, squash and pop it in your recycling box along with your cans.”

To request an additional kerbside recycling box, call 0345 678 9007 or email customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk.

It is estimated that each household in Shropshire creates over 100kg of waste plastic each year, of which approximately 35kg is plastic bottles, 25kg is pots, tubs and trays; 25kg is recyclable plastic film e.g. carrier bags, and 20kg is non-recyclable plastic films.

One tonne of recycled plastic saves 5,774 kWh of energy – enough to power the average home for a year.

Each tonne of plastic recycled equates to around 20,000 individual bottles.