A new waste trial has been underway to see whether Somerset might be able to recycle “thin film” plastic in future. A few hundred households in Taunton Deane were included in this six-week test, funded by the government-backed recycling charity WRAP. No other homes were involved. The thin film collected with kerbside recycling included the plastic used for carrier bags, multipacks of food or toilet rolls, bread or cereal bags, frozen foods, or to protect dry cleaning. Full story: Read more
‘Spread the load’ festive waste advice
“Spread the load” is the advice to avoid waste problems during a bumper festive season with plenty of Christmas changes to kerbside collections. A Somerset Waste Partnership spokesperson said: “Don’t let rubbish and recycling build up; shift it fast before Christmas – especially all that cardboard and other packaging – so you have space for festivities and fewer waste worries, especially if weather looks set to hamper collections”. Full story: Read more
Don’t stab your recycling crew
Residents are bei
ng urged to avoid putting waste collection staff and the public in danger from the contents of their recycling containers. The warning comes from Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP), as part of a month-long campaign to improve waste safety. Knives are among the high-risk items left in recycling boxes. Even while wearing safety gloves, collection crews have narrowly escaped injury as they sort recycling boxes by hand. Given the risk to staff and family members, householders are advised not to dispose of anything sharp in their recycling, from knives or scissors to jagged can tops. Full story: Read more