Shropshire councillors will next week (13 January 2022) be asked to formally approve the rollout of an additional wheelie bin for recycling cans, glass and plastic at the kerbside, as well as to approve an investment of almost £3m to fund the extra bin.
The plans were agreed by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet in July 2021, but the funding has to be approved by a meeting of the authority’s full council.
If the funding is agreed, residents will be able to start requesting a bin, with the first bins set to be delivered from May this year.
The new bin would be 240 litres, the same as those in standard use for general and garden waste in the area, while being a different colour to differentiate it from the other bins in use.
The bin, which would be optional and free, would replace the existing black recycling boxes and help to increase the amount of waste recycled by providing households with a larger container.
Shropshire Council said it would reduce the amount of waste lost to the recycling process after being blown out of the boxes on windy days.
They also said it would make the storage of recycling more convenient for residents and reduce the amount of bending and lifting for residents, as well as for waste and recycling crews.
Commenting, Shropshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets and the Green Economy, Councillor Ian Nellins said:
“The news of an extra bin for recycling has been warmly welcomed by residents across Shropshire and I know many people are eager to have one as soon as possible.
If full council agrees on 13 January to fund the rollout, people will be able to order their bin, with the first bins being delivered to homes in May.
“The provision of a bin for recycling is a direct response to residents’ comments and requests and is a pledge we made in our election manifesto last year.
“It’s clear that it’s something that many people want and it’s something that will help us to boost the amount of waste that is recycled in Shropshire.
“It won’t be compulsory to have a bin. Some people may not have room for one, or may prefer to keep using their kerbside boxes, but we’re confident that many people will want to take up this opportunity.”
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