A year of glass collections

It’s been a year since brown recycling bins for glass, cartons, plastics and cans started to be rolled out to residents across the borough and thanks to your efforts we have dramatically reduced the amount of waste we send to landfill.

Cllr Heywood with a member of our waste crew pictured when the brown bins were rolled out

In the last 12 months, 3,498 tonnes of glass bottles and jars, drink and food cartons, plastic bottles and yoghurt pots, and baked bean and drinks cans have been recycled, helping to save money as well as the planet.  This is an increase of nearly 2,500 tonnes when compared to the amount of plastics and cans we collected in the previous year, before the brown bins were introduced.  

Councillor Jean Heywood, Environment Portfolio Holder, said: "The amount of brown bin recycling we've collected in the last year is the equivalent of 455 red buses or 20 blue whales - which is fantastic news.  Thanks and well done to every single resident who is recycling their rubbish - you really are making a difference."

We have also increased our annual household recycling rate from 39.4% in 2009/10, to 42.5% in 2010/11.  And bearing in mind the brown bins were only introduced halfway through 2010/11, we are anticipating an even bigger increase in the current year,  2011/12 - in fact, in the first quarter of the year, April to June, we recorded our highest ever rate of 47%.

But while recycling is generally on the up in Hertsmere, there are a few pockets across the borough that have lower rates of recycling.  Gemma Godfrey, Recycling Officer, explained: "While many of our residents are doing all they can to reduce their waste and recycle more, we have found that some of our collection rounds aren’t picking up as much recycling from brown bins as others.  It may be that for whatever reason, residents in these areas don’t realise that so many items can be put in the brown bin, so we will be providing extra information to them about what can go in. 

"Overall the scheme's going really well, we just want to ensure everyone is doing their bit – remember, your bins need you!"

Most people appreciate why it’s so important to recycle and divert waste from landfill, but for those who don’t, here are the main reasons why...

1. It's cheaper.  Landfill tax is expensive so recycling more and sending less to landfill saves money (and keeps council tax down) in these hard times.
2. It's better for the environment.  Recycling also saves energy and lessens our impact on the planet's limited resources - why throw something in the bin if you can reuse it in some way?
3. Landfill is running out.  There's practically no room left in landfill sites so we simply have to find alternative ways of getting rid of our waste and recycling is one of them.

Not sure what goes in what bin?  Live in a flat but don't have recycling facilities?  For more information email street.scene@hertsmere.gov.uk or call 020 8207 7480.

Alternatively why not find us on Facebook  or follow us on Twitter @HertsmereBC