Published: 14/03/2022
IMPROVEMENTS to our recycling collection services will begin in October. Instead of having three boxes and a bag, residents will have two wheeled bins with different coloured lids.
The new bins will be delivered from October to December this year, and people can start using them as soon as they are received. We will write to property owners with a delivery timeframe.
More about the new service will be communicated through a series of road shows taking place throughout the borough from April until July.
Residents will be able to see the bins, pick up an information leaflet and get a feel for the changes taking place later in the year.
The first event will be on April 6 at The Beacon Portal in Whitehaven, where our Waste Management team will answer questions from 10am until 3pm.
The full road show itinerary will be publicised online, and events will also run in Frizington, Beckermet, Bootle, Cleator Moor, St Bees, Distington, Millom, Egremont, Gosforth and Mirehouse.
The council wants to make recycling as easy as possible, and the changes will result in less sorting for residents to do. There will be extra room for recyclables and the more weather-resistant lids will prevent litter from being blown into the street.
The blue-lidded bin will replace the blue paper box and cardboard recycling bag, and the red-lidded bin will hold glass, plastic and metal. All waste will still be recycled in the correct way.
If a property does not have the space to accommodate two extra bins, they will be contacted by the council to organise an alternative.
The new fleet of vehicles will have lower carbon emissions, and this collection system requires fewer vehicles in total – making it better for the environment all-round.
Councillor Andy Pratt, the Portfolio Holder for Recycling and Waste Collection, said: “This will deliver a more effective and efficient recycling service. A lot of hard work has gone into preparing a new procedure, and I look forward to seeing it take shape.”
The recycling changes leaflet contains frequently asked questions and details on the contents of each bin and will soon be available to view online.
