New measures aimed at reducing contamination in recycling bins and improving the efficiency of its recycling collections are being introduced next month (September) by Falkirk Council.
From 11 September, a two-step traffic light process will be in place, where if any incorrect material is found, an amber tag will be placed on the bin highlighting to residents that their bin contained a few items of low-level contamination, for example, plastic bags, plastic containers containing food scraps, or crisp bags.
These are items which are commonly mistaken as being suitable for recycling. Bins will still be collected as usual, as most material is correct, and the amber tag will be marked to show what the contamination was.
Heavily contaminated bins, overweight or unsafe bins (bins containing for example, black bags, hypodermic needles, or human excrement) will receive a red tag and will not be collected. In such cases, residents will be advised to remove the wrong materials and present their bin on the next scheduled collection day.
Alternatively, residents can dispose of the contaminated materials at a recycling centre or a one-time bin collection before the next scheduled pickup can also be arranged by contacting the Council's Contact Centre - 01324 506070 with a charge of £16.20 per 240L bin.
The aim behind the introduction of the scheme is to ensure that materials collected do not contaminate others at recycling facilities and will lead to improved recycling rates.
Recycling contamination in Falkirk costs approximately £125,000 per year (disposal costs for 2022) where waste must be sent to landfill /incineration instead of being recycled.
Explaining the importance of addressing contamination, Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, highlighted that contaminated recycling not only incurs additional disposal costs for the Council but can also be easily avoided.
She added: “Separating recycling correctly at home is by far the easiest way to prevent contamination and help preserve the value of the material and its potential for reuse in some form.
“It also contributes to diverting waste and helps with our wider ambitions towards Carbon targets as well as improved recycling rates.
“This in turn helps save us money as that can be used to provide other services.
“Residents in the area have always been strong supporters of recycling in our area and we are very grateful for their ongoing efforts.”
Unintentional contamination
‘Wishcycling’ will also be addressed as part of the new measures (wishcycling is the unintentional contamination of recycling bins). Common items include plastic bags, plastic film, some food containers, food waste, polystyrene, nappies, and clothes. These items can be disposed of correctly using other bins and recycling points.