News & Media > Environmental Services
02:02:2012
Plastic and Tetra Pak recycling arrives in Bristol
The new services will bring mixed plastic and Tetra Pak collections to all residents' doorsteps, as well as helping to reduce the amount of waste people throw away.
In order to ensure a smooth roll-out, the new services are being introduced in several phases between January and June. Phase 1 of the rollout started from 23 January, when 20,000 homes received their new green boxes. Residents are able to use the new box straight away, with first collections during week commencing 30 January.
On 6 February, a further 13,000 homes will receive their green box, ready for use the following week.
Inside the green box is a detailed leaflet explaining the new services, a sticker to put on the black box as a reminder of what goes in it, and a netting cover to prevent materials blowing away on windy days.
Once residents have received their green box, the following week a new, slightly smaller, wheelie bin will be delivered to them. The new 180 litre bins will replace the current 240 litre bins, as residents should have less to throw away once they start using their green box.
The streets included in phase 1 of the new service roll out have been chosen by May Gurney to provide a good cross section of areas with different property types and levels of participation in current recycling services.
Phase 2 of the roll out will bring the new services to around 40,000 households from 27 February. Phase 3 will start on 23 April and the final phase will begin on 21 May, so by the end of June, all households in Bristol will have the new services.
Neal Willis, regional operations director for May Gurney, said: “Since May Gurney took over the contract on 1 November, we have been working hard to ensure the service runs smoothly and iron out any minor issues that tend to crop up in a contract of this size.
”Residents have been great in adapting to the changes we have already introduced to collection days and of course the day changes over Christmas as a result of Bank Holidays. Now comes the best part for residents – better services on their doorstep.
“In order for us to roll this out as efficiently as possible, it will take a few months before the whole city has the new recycling services, but by the end of June everyone should be recycling their mixed plastics and Tetra Paks and enjoying a much improved service.”
Cllr Gary Hopkins, cabinet member for strategic waste, said: “When we set out to deliver this contract, we knew the number one thing residents wanted was for their plastics and Tetra Paks to be collected at the kerbside and we've worked hard to be able to deliver this, while at the same time managing to save around £2.5m a year of tax payers' money with a much more efficient and cost effective service.
“We're very pleased that May Gurney are now rolling out the new services to residents. This should make it easier for people to recycle even more at home and reduce the amount they throw away.”
