Published Tuesday 25 February 2020 at 13:37
A decision to introduce a new blue recycling bin for paper and cardboard across the borough was agreed by councillors at the annual meeting of the Finance Council.
Residents will still get a weekly collection of one of their bins and collection days will remain the same to avoid confusion.
For those homes where storage of an extra bin will be an issue, specialist recycling blue bags will be offered as an alternative option.
The bins will be delivered in the summer, the Council will write to residents to provide information.
Recycling is the single most practical thing you can do to make a difference to help protect the environment whilst dealing with climate change.
In Blackburn and Darwen we have some of the lowest recycling rates in the country. At the moment just 30% of our waste is being recycled.
This is a local and national problem but we want to be much better and have set a target to recycle 50% of our waste by 2025. We can only do this if we make important changes by making it easier to recycle.
The blue recycling wheelie bin will mean residents can separate paper and cardboard from what is currently mixed with glass, tins and plastics.
This means the paper and card is kept dry and won’t be contaminated by unwashed items and broken glass preventing it going to landfill.
The reason it’s important to keep the materials dry is because it has more commercial value than when it is wet.
The Council has also recently appointed a new Environmental Education Officer to help reduce waste and also increase recycling rates in the borough.
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Environmental Education Officer Sally Booth has been working with schools and communities about the difference they can make.
The Council is also working with volunteers on a high profile campaign to help educate and increase recycling rates.
The project also aims to slash the amount of rubbish going into expensive and environmentally damaging landfill – which can take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
Tony Watson, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Head of Environment and Operations, said:
“We are going to work closely residents who have limited storage space to make sure they can recycle and for some this will mean using the blue bag.
“We want to help people in our efforts to protect the environment and ultimately give residents better value for money.”
Recycling makes a big difference…Did you know?
- Recycling uses 95% less energy to make new products than using raw materials.
- Recycling a bleach bottle can save enough energy to power a street light for six and a half hours
- Recycling just one drinks can could save enough energy to power a TV for four hours.