Recycling

     

A letter from South Norfolk

Thank you for your query regarding the disparity in recycling services between Norfolk and Suffolk. I understand that it can be frustrating where different authorities are providing varying services.

The reason for the current limited range of recyclable materials collected in Norfolk is due to the treatment/facility contract currently in place. This contract (when signed in 2004) was initially very modern and provided an excellent range of recycling options. This initially focused on providing sorting procedures for materials to enable them to be sorted to a high level and to ensure that there was a consistent demand for the end-materials.

This contract is now nearing an end and the markets and demand for a wider range of recyclable materials have now increased making it  viable for new treatment/sorting facility contracts to encompass a wider range of materials. As a result Norfolk are currently procuring a new contract which should enable the treatment of wider range of materials by mid 2014. This will look to include all current materials plus other moulded plastic packaging (yoghurts, containers), cartons and glass.

We look forward to being able to offer you a wider kerbside recycling range in the very near future.

Joseph Webb: Waste & Environmental Management Officer

Recycling Facts & Figures

• Each year one person gets through 90 drinks cans, 70 food cans, 107 bottles & jars & 45kg of plastic
• Plastic stays buried in the ground for at least 500 years before it finally rots
• We use 12.5 million tonnes of paper & card every year in the UK.  In 2006 8 million tonnes of household paper was collected in the UK for recycling
• Recycled paper is also re-engineered into powder or long fibres for loft insulation, paints and road surfaces.  It’s also used for airport runways and Formula One racetracks!
• Recycled plastic is made into a wide variety of products including fleece fabric, compost bins, furniture, flooring and rubbish bags. It takes 25 fizzy drink bottles to make an adult’s fleece jacket.
• Every tin and can is 100% recyclable and can be used to make products like bicycles, fridges, washing machines, aeroplanes and, of course, new cans.
• Needham has its own bottle bank which raises money for the Village Hall.

Environment Correspondent