In Gravesham, Kent wheelie bins are proving to have given recycling a great boost. An increasing number of people are recycling their waste since the council introduced wheelie bins and recycling bins into the borough. The previous recycling rates in Gravesham were 24% and that figure has now grown to 36% thanks to the introduction of the wheelie bins and recycling bins. This particular area had one of the worst performing councils nationwide in regards to recycling and the new wheelie bins and food caddy were aimed to inspire and encourage residents to improve the recycling rates.
The council received almost £5 million after bidding to the Government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme and provided recycling bins to about 80% of residents. The collections, which started in June have shown a very promising start and residents have been congratulated by councillors for adapting so well and quickly to the new service. The amount of waste being rejected from the recycling process has now lowered from 4% to 2%. A report stated that “the introduction of food waste collection service has been a huge success and residents have embraced this aspect of the new service with great enthusiasm”.
Current figures show that residents are recycling more than 65 tonnes of food waste per week. The food waste collected is made into compost used mainly by local farmers. Keeping this high volume of food waste recycling out of black sacks will have a positive impact on street cleanliness. In the UK it is reported that around 4.4 million tonnes of food is thrown out every year with a cost of £12 billion. The garden waste collection service has also seen an increase of 941 new customers and the total accounts number now stands at 4800.
The council are now looking at rolling out the new recycling bins scheme for flats and apartments next year and then at the introduction of wheelie bins for general waste the following year.