REDDITCH residents are to be served an ultimatum if they put the wrong rubbish in their green recycling bin – do it a second time and we won’t collect it.
The new tough stance is being taken by the borough council in an effort to save on time, money and resources.
Councillor Debbie Chance, whose portfolio covers environmental services, said: “Very often people don’t realise how many problems are caused by contaminated recycling.
For example, just one unclean baked bean can or a half empty tin of paint put in your green bin could contaminate numerous paper goods in the truck from residents who have recycled properly, meaning that their waste can’t be recycled either.”
Over the coming weeks residents will be reminded of what they can put in their green recycling bin with a leaflet drop to every household as part of a Worcestershire-wide initiative to reduce the amount of non-recyclable things people put in their green recycling bins.
The council says it recognises that often things are put in the green bin with the best intentions but if it is not something that can be recycled it is classed as contaminated and thrown away.
The authority says it will be introducing a two strike scheme from April, once residents have received their leaflet.
This means that where the wrong items are found in bins, the crews will empty the bin but leave a tag to remind the resident of what can go in the bin.
If this occurs a second time, the crew will not empty the bin and will leave a tag asking for residents to sort the bin out in time for their next collection.
“When you receive your leaflet, stick it on your fridge as a reminder of what you can recycle,” said Coun Chance.
“At the end of the day, if we spend less money processing recycling because it is of good quality, that means there is more money in the pot that can go back to our residents.”
A new in-cab computer system put in all collection vehicles at the end of last year will waste collector monitor the situation.
