There is lots of information about how much plastic waste there is, how damaging it is and saying there should be less produced. Of course recycling should save it from going into the seas and oceans, being burned or buried in landfill. There is evidence to show it doesn’t always work. That makes collecting it a costly waste of time and money. Instead of making plastic packaging recyclable, make it reusable. Why not give it a return value? The government charged 5p and stopped us using plastic carriers. Surely, in a cost of living crisis, at a time when every penny counts, we would return reusable plastic packaging for 5p.
Some if not all Weigh shops will take some glass items so glass has a value and I’m sure people keen to recycle whatever they can would be pleased to return them for 5p.
I did a rough calculation that showed each year our home recycling is not even worth £2. Most people’s recycling would be worth more or less that much. (Equivalent to 40 items returned at 5p!)
Copyright © 2022 by Fred Page
Writing the book, Recycle Angel, I taught myself about recycling and know it helps to save resources. In the story Freddy runs the recycling business that his granddad set up. Driving an environmentally friendly E-van, with zero emissions, he makes a living collecting recycling and selling it.
Researching recycling I learned about climate change and when the book was published I decided to collect information and write about it in my blog. To read what I found about local training, wind turbines, solar farms, hydrogen driven vehicles, hydrogen production as well as anything else you can look back in my blog. Keeping an eye on local activity I was disappointed to find a few local authorities propose to build a new Waste to Energy (WtE) plant. I describe a WtE plant in the book. It is an incinerator that creates carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. I wrote to UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN)** and received this reply: ‘The good news is that it is not too late for the Councils to call a halt to their procurement of an incinerator!’
I did the boring research and discovered why the councils provide a fortnightly service. Of course they want to give the best service and get the best ‘recycling rate,’ which is the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting. But the service is fortnightly because councils are constrained by a guidance document ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’, published 23, July, 2021*. It states that dry recyclables are low health risk yet it specifies waste, including recyclables, should be collected at least fortnightly.
While Freddy drives an E-van the Council uses diesel lorries that run on diesel, emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and put Particulate Matter (PM) in the air. They contribute to climate change and harm the environment. I looked for a solution, something that will stop the emissions or at best reduce them.
Electric or hydrogen powered bin lorries did not present themselves, nor did a tram-like service with overhead power lines. The best alternative appeared to be reduce collection frequency.
Current legislation requires councils to collect recycling at least fortnightly. Changing the legislation so that collections can be made every four weeks would halve the problem.
Customers pay handsomely through council tax to have their recycling collected. Councils are required do collections at least every two weeks, to save resources. If customers knew how damaging those collections are would they choose to save resources or the Planet? I say tell them that reducing collections will benefit everyone. Councils will use less diesel. It will cost less, reduce effects on solar warming and climate change, be better for the environment and good for everyone.
Changing recycling collections to up to six weeks would look like this!
It can take six weeks to fill my recycling bin! Mine and many other people’s does not need to be emptied every two weeks. I would like to see the legislation changed!
FROM EMPTY TO FULL IN 6 WEEKS
A small non-scientific survey among friends and acquaintances showed different attitudes to recycling. Some are committed to putting out their almost empty bin every two weeks, on the day set by the council, and others wait until the bin is nearly full before putting it out. Most people have a paper caddy in their bin. Paper is recycling and does not have to be separated from the other recycling! The Redcar and Cleveland Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and Guisborough Town Mayor both assured me I don’t need one so I don’t have one. Without it there is 240 litres of empty space and as you can see I filled my bin to the top. It took six weeks!
I have petitioned a few local authorities and others to ask their views about changing the guidance from two weeks to six and waiting for a response. Below is a redacted email I sent to one. I have asked them to write to the local MP to get new legislation.
I would be pleased if all readers contacted their MP to support the request for new legislation to make the change. Ask government to change the requirement in ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’ from fortnightly to up to six weeks so that councils can do the logistics, change collection periods to get the best improvement they can.
Dear …
I understand you will attend the … to speak about your work and the Council’s climate action plans. Would you please comment on a suggestion I have for (your) County Council and other local authorities to cut spending on diesel and reduce carbon emissions.
I am aware that recycling saves resources and it is very important to dedicate time to educate customers to give them confidence in the process.
In accordance with the document, Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities* published 23, July, 2021, which states that dry recyclables are low health risk yet it specifies waste, including recyclables, should be collected at least fortnightly councils collect household recycling at least every two weeks. Changing collections from fortnightly to every four weeks, for example, would potentially halve diesel usage, costs and related carbon dioxide emissions. Greater savings would be possible if the period between collections is increased further. The savings would be measurable.
I know … County Council has identified that transport accounts for 34% of UK emissions and have plans to reduce car travel and thinking about electric bin lorries when the current fleet needs replacing. You have the ambition to do everything you can to reduce the council’s carbon footprint. In your vision and ambitions you recognise that to achieve your aims you will need government support and legislation. Legislation to change household collections from fortnightly to up to six weeks will need government support!
I realise new legislation is needed quickly and a request to create it needs support so I have done a small non-scientific survey. I asked friends and acquaintances how long it takes them to fill their recycling bin? A number of them do not fill theirs in two weeks so only put them out for collection when it is necessary. A number are committed to putting out their almost empty bin every two weeks on the day set by the council. The answers to my question depended on various factors and ranged from two weeks to five. However, it is significant that many of those I consulted have a paper caddy. I estimate a caddy takes up almost a third of the space in the bin. The Redcar and Cleveland Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and Guisborough Town Mayor assured me I don’t need one so I don’t have one. Without it there is 240 litres of empty space and with good management, compacting recyclables, it can take up to six weeks to fill my bin. Mine does not have to be emptied every two weeks!
I believe that with all paper caddies removed from recycling bins and legislation in place to change collections from fortnightly to six weeks authorities will be best placed to reduce diesel usage, lower spending and reduce CO2 emissions.
If you choose the Planet please support the request for new legislation to change household recycling collections from fortnightly to six weeks please will you write to your MP. The sooner the legislation is in place the sooner savings can be made. THANK YOU.
**Ref: https://ukwin.org.uk 08.06.2022
I have sent requests to various organisations, including local authorities to support this petition. The Councils chosen so far have climate change emergencies in place so it seemed appropriate to ask them. I have had no responses yet but it is early days.
My request is based on information contained in the document, ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’, published 23, July, 2021.* It states that dry recyclables are low health risk yet it specifies waste, including recyclables, should be collected at least fortnightly.
I explained: By collecting recycling less often local authorities would use less diesel and save money. They would also reduce carbon emissions and help reduce climate change. Changing collections, for example, from fortnightly to once every four weeks will potentially halve associated costs and carbon emissions. Increasing the time to six weeks would make an even bigger saving. The value will be measurable.
To support my petition I have consulted friends and acquaintances, asked how long it takes them to fill their recycling bin? A number of them do not fill them in two weeks so put them out for collection when it is necessary. A number are committed to putting out their almost empty bin every two weeks on the day set by the council. The answers to my question depended on various factors and ranged from two weeks to five.
I discovered that many people have a paper caddy that I estimate takes up almost a third of the bin space. The local Operations Manager for waste and recycling… and the Town Mayor assured me I don’t need one so I don’t have one. Without it there is 240 litres of empty space and with good management, compacting all recyclables, it can take up to six weeks to fill my bin. Mine does not have to be emptied every two weeks! I suggest all customers should be told they do not need a paper caddy and this subject should be researched further. Based on my findings I say Councils should be able to arrange collections in streets, areas and towns less often, use less diesel, emit less carbon and help reduce climate change.
Recycling is a very important issue so I hope that among other things time will be dedicated to educating customers about what is recyclable and giving them confidence in the process.
I would like everyone to sign a petition asking for legislation to allow local authorities to increase the time between recycling collections from two weeks to six.
Together we can transform the future.
PETITION
TO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO CUT SPENDING ON DIESEL AND REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS I/WE SUPPORT THE PETITION TO CREATE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE TIME ALLOWED BETWEEN COLLECTIONS OF HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING FROM TWO WEEKS TO SIX.
NAME and DATE
MIXED DRY RECYCLABLES:
ALUMINIUM AND TIN CANS, GLASS BOTTLES AND JARS, PLASTIC BOTTLES AND CARDBOARD (more…)
Recycling helps reduces Climate Change
Recycle Angel follows the theory that using clean recycling as a raw material will reduce the energy needed in the manufacturing process. When energy production is dependent on fossil fuels that reduction reduces the amount of carbon dioxide, affects global warming and helps reduces climate change.
The recycling collection process could be twice as good
The domestic recycling bin collection process wagons, drivers and loaders is well established. In my area the recycling team empties recycling bins every two weeks. In conversation with others many say their bins are less than half full.
The Council can reduce its carbon emissions
I suggest recycling bins could be emptied less frequently. House by house, street by street, area by area and town by town the council could embark on extending the period between collections. Reduced collections will reduce the travel time and fuel consumption of its fleet. It will also result in reduced carbon emissions.
If you would like to help please complete FORM 1, below and send it to me.
HELP MAKE A CHANGE FORM 1
| QUESTIONS | YOUR ANSWERS | |
| YOUR POST CODE | To show the area you live in | |
| HOW MANY RECYCLING BINS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD/HOME? | Some have more than one bin. | |
| HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD/HOME? | Single households often collect less recycling | |
| DO YOU SHARE YOUR BINS WITH NEIGHBOURS? | Anyone can share if they want to | |
| TO TEST HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU TO FILL YOUR RECYCLING BIN
YOU NEED A START AND END DATE. see below |
||
| START DATE? | Start your test when your bin is empty | |
| END DATE? | End your test when your bin is full | |
| TIME IN WEEKS AND DAYS IT TOOK TO FILL YOUR RECYCLING BIN? | In some places, if your bin is full before the collection is due, excess put in a bin bag and present for collection will be taken. Other areas may be different. | Weeks
Days |
| HOW MANY WEEKS BETWEEN RECYCLING BIN COLLECTIONS WOULD SUIT YOU? | The answer here could be based on the number of weeks it took you to fill your recycling bin. | |
| NOTES: | ||
Thank you.
TO SEE IF THE COUNCIL CAN SAVE MONEY, TIME, FUEL, REDUCE ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT AND HELP REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE BY REDUCING THE FREQUENCY OF DOMESTIC RECYCLING COLLECTIONS.
AIM
The Council empties recycling bins that are put out, on a fortnightly basis. I have carried out this experiment to see if the Council does not need to empty them as often as it does. And suggest if it reduces the frequency it will reduce its fuel consumption, save money and help reduce climate change. I hope it will be able to use the savings to reduce council tax hikes.
EQUIPMENT
A 4 draw cabinet,
A Council Recycling Bin
A set of kitchen scales
NOTES
Generally recycling bins hold 240 litres. 2 weeks recycling barely covered the bottom of my recycling bin. I estimate it could take 6 weeks to fill my recycling bin with household recycling. I wanted to show how long it takes to fill it and it will not be too heavy for the operatives.
THE PROCESS
Over a few weeks I collected my household aluminium, glass, tin and plastic recycling and sorted it into individual draws.
At times shown in the table below I weighed each material and recorded the results.
NOTE -I have noticed many people do not put cardboard in the bin, it is left beside it instead. I did not include cardboard.
From the data I have derived approximate weights for the periods, 14, 29, 41 up to 54 days and a year.
CONLUSION
My results show the recycling collected is not heavy. I observe my recycling bin could be emptied every 6 weeks.
If the Council emptied all recycling bins every 6 weeks it would reduce its fuel consumption, reduce its carbon footprint, help reduce climate change and save money.
I believe that if you and hundreds of other like minded people do the same experiment and gather the data it should be possible to demonstrate the time between emptying recycling bins can be extended.
EXCEPTIONS
Some customers generate more recycling. They will need an extra bin and possibly bags. In the interest of helping to save the planet I’m sure the Council will sort out any anomalies.
Weight (grams) of recycling collected. Start date 24.04.2022
| Recycling | DATE
Start Date 24.02.2022 |
09.03.2022 | 24.03.2022 | 05.04.2022 | 18.04.2022 | Average grams per year
(365 days) based on longest test period |
Approx grams per 14 days |
| Number of days | 14 | 29 | 41 | 54 | |||
| Aluminium | 205 | 440 | 643 | 5724 | 220 | ||
| Glass | 447 | 904 | 904 | 1763 | 11916 | 457 | |
| Plastic | 332 | 990 | 1388 | 12356 | 474 | ||
| Tins | 396 | 850 | 1228 | 1530 | 10341 | 397 | |
| TOTAL | 40337 | 1548 |
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO DO THE EXPERIMENT.
I am a Guisborough Town Councillor. I’m so pleased that as a Town Council we are working to serve the community by supporting an educational event on prevention of scams and fraud and about to fly the Ukrainian flag.
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