STRATFORD District Council’s bin lorries are not rubbish – but they have been given a new look.
The sides of every Biffa’s waste collection van are now fitted with signs to promote the council’s garden and food waste service after a review of rubbish put in grey bins revealed more than two thirds of it could actually be recycled or composted.
Small electric appliances and textiles – classed by many as ‘waste’ – can be put in small plastic bags near the wheeled bin on any normal collection day while food waste can be placed in green bins alongside garden waste.
Those who do not receive a green bin collection service can request a free roll of reusable green sacks for garden waste and a free food caddy for food waste, which can then be put out alongside boxes of recycling on collection day.
Any everyone put ‘waste’ that could be composted or recycled into the blue-lidded recycling bin or green bin, the amount of black bag waste could be reduced by 9,800 tonnes.
This would mean less than 25 per cent of total household waste would be put in the grey rubbish bins.
Technical services spokesman Coun Mike Brain said: “Our residents understand recycling and are good at it, however changing habits and diverting food waste to our green bin will not only substantially increase recycling figures but also help reduce landfill costs.
“The new signs provide an excellent message to remind us how this small change can make a huge difference.”
Visit www.stratford-dc.gov.uk for further information.
