Recycling news – March 2023

recycling update march 23

Welcome to our roundup of recycling news and updates from Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and beyond. Melton Waste specialise in small business waste management and recycling in Melton Mowbray and the surrounding areas. We offer trade waste collections, card and paper recycling, glass recycling, plastic recycling, weee waste disposal, clinical waste incineration, liquid waste disposal and confidential waste incineration.

Call 01664 444333 or contact us for a quote today.

New proposals for recycling electrical equipment

The research commissioned by WEEE campaign organisation Material Focus has come up with other measures that it believes could improve the way the UK measures and assesses the efficiency of its waste electrical items and portable battery systems.

The London-based organisation said:

“Introducing these metrics would provide a more accurate and holistic view of the systems and help improve their performance in moving towards a circular economy. It will also help sector stakeholders to better tell the story of the challenges they are facing, and how they are working together to respond to these.”

Source: https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/material-focus-other-metrics/

Plastic recyclers hit by low prices of new materials

Following a steep drop towards the end of 2022, the early weeks of 2023 have produced a slight but welcome increase in demand for raw materials, it is noted in the latest World Mirror on Plastics publication from the BIR global recycling organisation. But despite a dip in energy bills and inflation rates, plastic recyclers in many areas of the world are still facing a number of challenges, including the impact of low virgin prices, a shortage of skilled workers, rising wage costs, inflationary pressures, and the destabilizing effects of the Ukraine conflict as well as wider geopolitical tensions.

Source: https://www.bir.org/news-press/news/item/world-mirror-on-plastics-low-virgin-prices-undermine-recyclate-sales-prospects

plastic bottles for recycling

Devon Bin-it 123 sees increase in recycling rates

Mid Devon District Council has changed its waste collection service after seeing a 4% increase in recycling rates from changing the schedule. After successfully trialling three weekly waste collections in Holcombe Rogus, Westleigh and areas in and around Canal Hill Tiverton, Mid Devon District Council has introduced three weekly waste collections across the district.

As of October 2022, all non-recyclable waste (Black bin waste) is collected every three weeks as part of the Council’s drive to increase recycling and reduce waste. All other collections remain unchanged – with food waste collected weekly, dry recycling and garden waste (opt-in chargeable service) fortnightly.

Source: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/recycling-rubbish/bin-it-123/

What items should not be in your recycling bin?

Nottingham City Council bin crews commonly find these items in recycling bins when they do not belong there. When non-recyclable material ends up in the recycling bin it is known as contamination. Contamination makes sorting recycling more expensive and difficult. It not only reduces the quality of the recycling in the whole bin lorry it also harms the environment and costs the tax payer more money.

  • Takeaway pizza boxes are NOT recyclable because they are contaminated with food grease and waste.
  • Pyrex and other types of dinnerware or light bulbs are NOT recyclable because they contain chemicals to make them resistant to heat & continuous use.
  • Tin foil and cling film are NOT recyclable.
  • Wallpaper & other household decorating items are NOT recyclable.

https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/recycleitright

Image credit

Recycling Regiment 1” by Peter Kaminski is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .